Gentry PD to crack down on traffic violators

GENTRY -- Police are planning a campaign to crack down on traffic violators at several Gentry locations.

"We will be giving warnings and writing citations to motorists who run red lights or make turns from the shoulder at the [Arkansas Highways] 12 and 59 intersection," Keith Smith, Gentry police chief, said Monday.

Other areas the police intend to watch closely over the coming weeks are Main Street and the intersection of Main Street with Arkansas Highway 12.

According to Smith, the city and police department have been receiving numerous complaints of drivers running red lights at the intersection of Arkansas Highways 12 and 59. He said drivers are also making right turns from the shoulder and have caused some near-accident situations. He said there has been a similar problem with turns on the Arkansas 12 and West Main Street intersection.

The other complaint Smith said his department has received is for people making illegal U-turns on Main Street or parking on the wrong side of the street.

Smith said his department would begin giving warnings this week, citing drivers with blatant or dangerous violations, and writing all violators tickets in the next week or two.