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Port St. Lucie police upping patrols along Crosstown Parkway

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — It's one of the worst areas for speeding. Now, Port St. Lucie police are cracking down on drivers going too fast on the Crosstown Parkway.

Sgt. Bob McGhee says they're looking to stop distracted drivers. He says preventing speeding along the Crosstown Parkway could prevent accidents.

He knows the Crosstown Parkway well.

"No traffic control, no stop signs, no traffic lights and people just get a little rambunctious," he said.

So after issuing close to 3,000 tickets in 3 1/2 years Sgt. McGhee has decided to make some changes along the 6 lane highway.

"That's what the Traffic Enforcement Unit does right now," McGhee said. "We concentrate on these chronic complaint areas the Crosstown Parkway is one of them."

Now, he's hired two new officers giving him the opportunity to have three officers east on the turnpike and three officers west of the turnpike.

Locals are taking notice.

"Definitely pay attention for sure because it's not worth it," one woman said.

She didn't want to be identified but went on to say she lives close by, Thursday she was pulled over for going 12 miles over the speed limit.

"You're on auto pilot. I live so close by that you're always on Crosstown and you don't think about it."

McGhee says anyone going over 9 miles over the speed limit can get pulled over and he says if you're 15 over you're likely to get a ticket.