Police in Coquitlam are using a metal cutout to try and scare speeders

Coquitlam RCMP are hoping that the newest member of their traffic section will make a big impact on speeding drivers – even though he will never hand out a ticket or collect a paycheque.

‘Constable Scarecrow’ is a life-sized, metal poster-board that features a police officer with a laser speed-reader.

And for the next two months, Constable Scarecrow will be in service as a pilot project on the roads of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.

“We’ve seen this sort of idea used before in the United Kingdom, but we haven’t seen it used here in combination with scientific monitoring,” said Coquitlam RCMP Sgt. Quentin Frewing. “We think it could work, and it’s a low-cost, good-humoured way to improve our presence and perhaps make people think twice about speeding.”

Mounties are not revealing the exact locations that Constable Scarecrow will be used, but said it will be in areas identified as problem speeding locations.

While Constable Scarecrow himself doesn’t write or hand our tickets, Frewing said drivers shouldn’t get too comfortable.

“Drivers should be aware that real Mounties, and our Speed Watch volunteers, might be right around the corner waiting to help out,” he said. “The real goal here is to keep speeds down and keep our roads safe.”

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