
From Zero To Ticket In 5 Seconds: Rockford Police Upgrade Their Need For Speed
Rockford Police Are Cracking Down on Speeders—And It’s About Time
If you’ve been tempted to channel your inner NASCAR driver on Auburn Street or zoom past the Hard Rock Casino, you might want to reconsider. Rockford Police are handing out speeding citations like Halloween candy this year, with numbers hitting a four-year high.
Sgt. Brian Strawser of the Rockford Police Department's Traffic Unit has made it clear: “It’s definitely a major, major concern within the community.”
New Tech, New Tickets

Thanks to two major upgrades, patrol vehicles are now armed with the Eagle 3 Radar System (which sounds just as intimidating as it is). This radar doesn’t just sit around waiting for you to whiz by—it’s always on, tracking every car across every lane, like Big Brother but for your bad driving habits.
Also, those patrol cars are equipped with license plate readers. So if you think you’re clever speeding near the Nicholas Conservatory, think again.
The numbers don’t lie:
Eyewitness News obtained data on the number of speeding citations issued by Rockford Police officers through a Freedom Of Information Request.
From January to October of 2024, police issued 750 more citations compared to the year prior.
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A Friendly Reminder: Red Means Stop
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Speeding isn’t the only problem. Rockford’s roads are a red-light runner’s paradise. So disturbing is the trend that cautious drivers (like yours truly) now wait an extra beat before pulling away at green lights. Why? Because getting T-boned isn’t on anyone’s to-do list.
Consider this your wake-up call, Rockford. Slow down. Your wallet—and the rest of us on the road—will thank you.
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