ROSEBORO—Town leaders are hoping to put the brakes on a growing problem with speeding in this western Sampson County town by purchasing equipment which will help alert heavy-footed drivers that they are exceeding the town’s speed limit.

Roseboro mayor Roland Hall explained in a recent interview that while the board did not take a formal vote, all of its members agreed to allow him to speak with the county about purchasing a Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailer (SMART).

According to Hall, the monitor will alert drivers to how fast they are going while flashing the speed limit at the same time, a reminder to slow down and be careful.

The problem with speeding through the town is not new, said Hall, but, in his eyes, it is time to take steps to prevent it.

“We have had complaints for years about people speeding through town,” the mayor expressed.

The equipment, which Hall has projected to cost $10,000, will be partially funded through the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. This grant program, Hall explained, will pay for 75 percent of the equipment, but the other 25 percent will be the responsibility of the municipality or the county.

In order to cover this $2,500 fee, Hall is hoping that some other municipal governments, particularly Garland, or Sampson County may be able to help with the cost, since it would be the property of the Sheriff’s office.

The Sampson County Sheriff’s Department handles law enforcement coverage for both Roseboro and Garland.

Teresa Vault, Garland’s town clerk, said earlier this week that she thinks the equipment purchase is definitely something the town will consider.

“I have mentioned it to the mayor (Anthony Johnson), and he said that the board would take it up at the next meeting, and if the board decides to go along with this, then we will help cover the cost,” said Vault.

In the meantime, if either Garland or the county cannot help with the $2,500 cost, Hall said he is prepared to budget the entire amount in the 2010 town budget proposal that would go before the full Roseboro board.

Board member Anthony Bennett said he is in favor of the purchase. “I have had a lot of citizens complain about it,” the town commissioner said, pointing to that concern as one reason he’s in favor of taking action.

If the town is fortunate enough to receive the grant and, in turn, purchase the equipment, Hall firmly believes this will prevent some drivers from scurrying through town at a high rate of speed.

“This will help serve as a reminder to drivers to watch the speed,” Hall commented, adding that he is particularly concerned with certain stretches of road where drivers are particularly fast — Roseboro’s Main Street and on N.C. 24 close to Crumpler Brick Company.

“Folks need to be reminded of how dangerous it is to speed through these areas ... We just feel that it will be a tremendous asset to the county,” said Hall of the equipment.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.