Traffic Officers

Don't be surprised if you notice more cyclists this summer in Philadelphia. On Friday, the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities announced new north-south bike lanes in central Philadelphia as part of a six-month pilot program to allow easier access for cyclists on 10th and 13th Streets and Fairmount Avenue. The new routes - which will replace a traffic lane on each road - will run from Spring Garden Street to Lombard Street on 10th Street, and from South Street to Spring Garden on 13th.

LOITERING TRUCKER OFFERS LITTLE RESISTANCE TO TICKET Two Italian traffic officers who ticketed a truck that had a dead man sprawled inside the cab may be investigated for failing to perform their duties properly. Authorities in Bologna said the traffic officers found the truck parked askew on the sidewalk, against the flow of traffic and with its hazard lights flashing. After waiting one minute for the driver to return, they left a ticket on the windshield without checking the cab. An autopsy was being carried out on the trucker, who was believed to have suffered a heart attack.

Drivers speeding on Route 611 and through the township's other streets may see more blue lights flashing in their rearview mirrors. A new traffic division authorized by Warrington's supervisors this week will dedicate three of Warrington's 24 officers to tracking down speedy motorists. The traffic officers also will handle accidents, breakdowns and other traffic-related calls, said Warrington Police Chief John Bonargo. "The main thrust will be on the complaints we receive from citizens," said Bonargo.

Philadelphia police Capt. Nicholas Martino says he has seen visions of gridlock, the ultimate traffic jam, in his dreams. "I never had more fear of gridlock than I did this summer," said Martino, 53, who was the commanding officer of the department's Traffic District until he retired last week to begin work in the private security field. During Martino's eight-year stint as captain, his white-hatted traffic officers helped motorists and pedestrians brave rock concerts, sports victory celebrations (some impromptu)

It's more than 700 pounds of brilliant chrome, heavy-duty steel and burning rubber. And its siren is blaring, its lights are flashing, and the police officer aboard is telling you that you'd better pull over. Now. The Pennsauken Police Department's traffic division's newest weapon, a souped-up 1999 Harley-Davidson Road King motorcycle, debuted last week - much to the joy of the traffic officers, and the chagrin of would-be speeders. The new bike joins two older motorcycles in the traffic fleet.

Bad timing by protesters and a good performance by police took the drama out of a demonstration yesterday afternoon that sought to tie up traffic on Broad Street to protest proposed cuts in the state budget. About 150 protesters, supporting the homeless, welfare rights, drug treatment and other social activist groups, took over the intersection of Broad and Spring Garden Streets for about three hours. But the demonstration began at 1:30 p.m. and was over about three hours later, missing the 5 p.m. traffic rush hour.

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission will be conducting studies of the traffic on local roads around Route 55 access ramps starting in the late spring or early summer to see what effect the new highway is having on the towns around it in Gloucester County. With the opening of the access ramps on four local roads, some police officials say they have noticed changes in traffic patterns and increased numbers of cars using local streets to get to and from the highway. The traffic study will be done during a three-year period, said Robert Scolpino, director of planning for Gloucester County.

The Police Pastimers Band has been passed over by time. Four full-time police officers whose sole duty for several years had been to perform at community affairs, the Pastimers played their last gig yesterday for a group of senior citizens in Mayfair. The pop music quartet is the latest victim of the Police Department's drive to get more cops back on the street. In their new role with the traffic unit, they are trading their instruments for nightsticks. But their association with music continues.

A hit-and-run that gravely injured a North Philadelphia man during a fracas outside a University City nightspot earlier this month was reenacted last night by police Homicide Division detectives. Investigators using three vehicles similar to the ones involved in the incident that left David O. Hopkins, 27, on life-support systems recreated and videotaped the crash outside Pegasus, on 38th Street near Chestnut. Traffic officers closed 38th Street between Market and Chestnut Streets for more than an hour beginning about 8 p.m. so detectives and an officer from the Accident Investigation District could repeat the sequence of events several times.

In a move to increase the number of patrol officers in police districts throughout the city, Police Commissioner Willie L. Williams yesterday shifted 166 officers and commanders within the Police Department. Of that number, 96 non-ranking patrol officers will be going into the department's 23 districts, which, according to departing Fraternal Order of Police president Robert S. Hurst, have become severely understaffed because of budget cutbacks. However, because 24 officers are being moved from the districts as a result of the transfers, the patrol size will increase by only 72. The transfers, which take effect Monday, represent the largest personnel shift since Williams became commissioner in June.

LOS ANGELES - A Los Angeles traffic officer was fired for appearing in a pornographic film while on duty more than three years ago. John Dancler was dismissed Monday for misconduct on the job and engaging in indecent acts that reflected poorly on the city workforce, according to his notice of dismissal obtained yesterday by the Associated Press. The inappropriate acts include "groping the bare breasts, spanking the bare buttocks, and being straddled by an adult video actress in public," the notice said.

Don't be surprised if you notice more cyclists this summer in Philadelphia. On Friday, the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities announced new north-south bike lanes in central Philadelphia as part of a six-month pilot program to allow easier access for cyclists on 10th and 13th Streets and Fairmount Avenue. The new routes - which will replace a traffic lane on each road - will run from Spring Garden Street to Lombard Street on 10th Street, and from South Street to Spring Garden on 13th.

WITH APOLOGIES to my favorite local sports columnist, Bill Conlin, I hereby give you my "When I'm Emperor of Philly" column. If you're unfamiliar with Conlin's "King of the World" columns, they're semi-regular litanies of the tweaks needed to the world of sports and society in general. Since I spend a part of every day traveling the city via El or bus, I see many tweakable scenarios, so here goes - When I'm Emperor of Philadelphia. . . all rec centers and libraries (and anything else the city provides for kids)

Robert Peper "Bo" Fisher, a high school senior who dreamed of a career in the military, was killed in Sea Isle City, N.J., late Saturday when he was struck by two cars as he ran across a busy street while fleeing a police officer. Fisher, 17, of Richboro, Bucks County, was drinking beer on the beach with friends about 9 p.m., police said, when an officer approached. The young men scattered and Fisher ran for cover amid the dunes. When he emerged, the officer confronted him on the beach near 31st Street and asked for the name of an adult guardian.

Randy Moss apologized to his team, family and friends yesterday, but insisted he wasn't looking for trouble when he was arrested on charges of pushing a traffic officer with his car. The Minnesota Vikings' star receiver spent a night in jail and was charged with two misdemeanors but no felonies. Moss will start Sunday's game against Seattle, and his agent said the team will fine him, although the amount hasn't been determined. "I'm sorry for what I've caused and what I brought on everyone who really cares about me or this team," Moss said.

If you think this township's streets are becoming more and more congested, it's not just your imagination. Police officials have noticed the increased traffic, too. In response, a third officer will join the township traffic unit later this year. "We're seeing an increasing need for traffic control, especially in response to minor accidents," said Police Chief Richard A. Zolko. "You can't even really speed any more because it's so congested. " Officer Jack Hoffman, who has served with the traffic unit for 13 of his 21 years in Whitemarsh, said traffic counts were up on such thoroughfares as Ridge and Butler Pikes.

Basking in the success of the Great Valley Corporate Center, Liberty Property Trust has proposed that a $50 million complex be built overlooking the Route 202 corridor. But the proposal has raised concerns about additional congestion to already clogged roadways and the fear that five- and six-story buildings will prove to be more than local volunteer fire companies can handle. The 60-acre site is an abandoned quarry at the intersection of Route 29 and Swedesford Road. "We are in a little pocket of office buildings and hotels, and the traffic around here is a nightmare," said Nancy Shaw, who lives in a community of about 120 homes off Swedesford Road.

It's more than 700 pounds of brilliant chrome, heavy-duty steel and burning rubber. And its siren is blaring, its lights are flashing, and the police officer aboard is telling you that you'd better pull over. Now. The Pennsauken Police Department's traffic division's newest weapon, a souped-up 1999 Harley-Davidson Road King motorcycle, debuted last week - much to the joy of the traffic officers, and the chagrin of would-be speeders. The new bike joins two older motorcycles in the traffic fleet.

A hit-and-run that gravely injured a North Philadelphia man during a fracas outside a University City nightspot earlier this month was reenacted last night by police Homicide Division detectives. Investigators using three vehicles similar to the ones involved in the incident that left David O. Hopkins, 27, on life-support systems recreated and videotaped the crash outside Pegasus, on 38th Street near Chestnut. Traffic officers closed 38th Street between Market and Chestnut Streets for more than an hour beginning about 8 p.m. so detectives and an officer from the Accident Investigation District could repeat the sequence of events several times.

Drivers speeding on Route 611 and through the township's other streets may see more blue lights flashing in their rearview mirrors. A new traffic division authorized by Warrington's supervisors this week will dedicate three of Warrington's 24 officers to tracking down speedy motorists. The traffic officers also will handle accidents, breakdowns and other traffic-related calls, said Warrington Police Chief John Bonargo. "The main thrust will be on the complaints we receive from citizens," said Bonargo.