Jan.11, 2010, 3:15 a.m., From: Herald-Journal

The city's police department has begun using two new electronic traffic signs in an effort to slow motorists and hopefully avert potentially costly and deadly traffic crashes, Chief Dan Reynolds said.

The $30,000-plus purchase -- one sign cost about $17,000; the second, $14,000 -- was made with part of $1.3 million in forfeiture funds in September received by the agency for its role in squashing a video poker and money laundering operation active in Spartanburg and Greenville counties for seven years.

The smart signs use radar to check speeds and warn motorists to "Please slow down," when they drive more than 5 mph above the posted speed limit. Blue and red flashing lights accompany the warning if a motorist is clocked at more than 15 mph above the limit.

"A lot of people don't pay attention to their speed," Reynolds said. "This wakes them up, and most people slow down. If they don't, we'll get them. We may be in the vicinity somewhere around that area."

Traffic supervisor Cpl. Mixon Eldridge said the signs are placed during daylight hours in residential and commercial zones with high rates of citizen complaints and traffic accidents or where officers have identified hazards.

In 2008, the Greer Police Department issued 10,591 speeding tickets. An estimated 8,000 tickets were issued through November in 2009. December totals are pending.

"We're all just trying to save lives by slowing people down and maybe even save money, if we can avoid traffic accidents," Reynolds said. "We feel we can reduce the risk of death or injury if we can get people to drive slower."

The $1.3 million is part of $4 million raised so far through the sale of vehicles and property worth $9 million forfeited by Billy Joe Hindman, who in 2007 pleaded guilty to conducting an illegal gambling business. The Greer Police Department expects to receive as much $1.7 million more as remaining properties are liquidated.

Federal prosecutors and the Internal Revenue Service also are receiving equal shares of the money.