VIDALIA — In anticipation of excess traffic on Carter Street and U.S. 84 from the new municipal and recreational complexes, Vidalia Police Chief Arthur Lewis said the department will increase the amount of traffic citations to keep the roads safe.

“We’ll be looking for speeding, loud music, loud pipes, illegal window tint and just about everything,” Lewis said. “We’ll be beefing up patrol to keep the streets safe for everyone.”

Lewis said the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will determine the eligibility for traffic lights at the intersection of the complexes and U.S. 84

But until that study is complete, increased patrol will hopefully keep speeders at bay in the soon-to-be crowded intersection, Lewis said.

Since the police department’s move from its old building on John Dale Drive, Lewis said officers patrolling the entire city are also necessary to keep a strong police presence.

“The extra patrol shows that we’re still in the neighborhoods, and that we’re providing the same quality of law enforcement — even if we’re just further down the road,” Lewis said. “And eventually, we will have officers back in the old office also.”

Following some minor renovations, several officers, a desk sergeant, TRIAD and school resources officers will move into the old building, which will be used as a substation.