La Cygne expected to install license plate readers soon

Automatic license plate readers are expected to be installed at the main entrances to La Cygne soon. (City of Wheaton, Ill., Police Department)

By Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com

LA CYGNE – Devices that will automatically monitor license plates on motor vehicles entering the city of La Cygne are expected to be installed soon following the city council’s approval of accepting a grant of almost $42,400 from the First Option Bank Trustee Foundation.

The grant, which was requested by Police Chief Zachary Mathies, was enough to purchase three of the readers, which will be placed at main entry points to the city, according to the chief. The receipt of the grant and purchase of the automated license plate readers was approved by the council at its April 14 meeting.

Mathies said the readers would assist in identifying vehicles that had ties to crime, but they were not intended to monitor speed infractions or other traffic-related issues. He said that the devices would be helpful in cases like the recent robbery of Silver Creek Pharmacy.

During the council meeting, the police chief discussed the idea of building a shooting range to be used only by La Cygne police and other law enforcement officers near the city’s sewage lagoons south of the La Cygne Community Park. The range could be built on either the east or west side of the lagoons.

Councilmember Thomas Capp asked which way the officers would be shooting. Toward the south, Mathies replied. He also said it would be used for practice with both handguns and rifles.

Councilmember David Brenneman asked about the cost of building the range, however, Mathies said he didn’t have a cost projection on that. The council asked the chief to find out the cost.

In his report, Mathies said he was looking at installing signs on Fourth Street, one on southbound Fourth before Grant Street that warned of reduced speed ahead. He said he also wanted to post more speed limit signs on Fourth Street.

Also in his report the police chief said that only 15 registrations have been completed for off-road vehicles such as golf carts, side-by-sides and other UTVs. Earlier this year the council approved an ordinance requiring that any powered off-road used on city streets must be registered. He also reminded the council that off-road vehicles cannot be used on Market Street because it is a highway.