Radar gun toting boy aims to stop speeders
Categories: Kids 8-11, Safety, Weird But True, Gadgets & Tech
Lots of little boys dream of careers in law enforcement. In preparation, they spend hours playing cop, arresting their little friends and writing tickets. But this sort of pretend police work is just child's play for Landon Wilburn of Louisville, Kentucky. He found an effective way to actually enforce the law and has become a neighborhood hero because of it.Like a lot of subdivisions, the one where 11-year-old Landon lives has a problem with cars speeding through the streets. Residents have complained to police and Landon and his friends regularly yell at drivers to slow down. But when these efforts failed, Landon came up with a better idea. He got out his Hot Wheels toy radar gun, donned a bright orange vest, and grabbed his siren-equipped flashlight. He set himself up on the side of the street and began tracking the speed of passing cars.
Yeah, it's a toy but it actually works! The speed limit in Landon's neighborhood is 25 mph, but he clocked some cars going close to 55 mph. At least they were until they spotted what they assumed was a police officer with a radar gun aimed at them. Neighbor George Ayers says, "When I saw it happening, I got the biggest kick out of it. People were locking up their brakes when they saw him."
Fortunately, Landon may soon find his radar gun is no longer needed. After commissioning a study on speeding in the area, speed humps are being installed in the neighborhood.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bella 7-18-2008 @ 10:22PM
lol! go kid! i think thats just awesome
Reply
Uly 7-19-2008 @ 10:56AM
Isn't impersonating a cop a crime?
Reply
Debbie Morgan 7-20-2008 @ 2:04AM
Way to go Landon!
Since safety and security are my business, I admire a young man who is able to problem solve on his own and help make his neighborhood a little safer.
Today a Hot Wheels toy radar gun, someday, maybe he’ll be shopping at my store!
Reply