Speed racers

Police in St. Joseph, Mo., have announced that residents there will get radar guns to nail speeders in their neighborhoods.

The program was prompted by the limited number of officers available to monitor speeding vehicles, according to a story from the city in northwest Missouri. Police say they don't have the manpower to catch speeders. They say the radar-gun idea will get residents more involved in their neighborhoods.

Volunteers will use the radar guns from their own cars as part of a two-person team in residential neighborhoods. One person will clock any vehicle traveling more than 10 mph over the speed limit, and the other person will write down the license plate and type of vehicle. Later, if police find the license plate and vehicle description match, a warning letter will be sent to the car's registered owner.

Speeding in residential neighborhoods is a constant complaint among residents in this area too. Many parents are afraid that reckless driving where children play will result in an accident. If police departments are truly maxed out, this could be a good way for people to address their concerns.