Pittsburgh Police Department brass get a failing grade in communication with their officers regarding the Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system.

LIDAR, a speed timing device that is not authorized by the state for local police departments, was used by itself by the Pittsburgh police to issue approximately 650 speeding tickets over the past six months.

It would be interesting to learn how many Butler County drivers, if any, were nabbed by LIDAR and how much in fines they paid — or have been ordered to pay.

Drivers who already have paid will be reimbursed, said Police Chief Nate Harper.

According to Harper, his department received two LIDAR units in October for testing and evaluation. They were to be used along with other approved speed-timing devices.

Some officers apparently didn't receive the correct instructions — or the rules governing LIDAR's use, and the ramifications from improper use, were not adequately spelled out.

Whatever the reason, some officers began using LIDAR by itself, which is a violation of state law.

Fortunately for the police department, the tickets represent only about 6 percent of the 11,000 tickets issued during the time period in question. The situation could have been a much more serious paperwork headache than it appears to be at this point.

Still, Pittsburgh police, like all other police, are charged with knowing and enforcing the laws, not breaking them.

Harper and the department's other top officers are justified in being embarrassed over what occurred. They didn't adequately monitor the testing of the equipment — as they should have done.

Mars School Board member Ross McConnell's desire to improve communication between the board and Adams Township supervisors should not go unnoticed.Actually, all school districts should strive for open lines of communication with the municipalities in which their students live.McConnell, a township resident and school bus driver, told the supervisors Monday that he believes it's important for municipal leaders and school officials to be aware of each other's actions and issues. McConnell reminded the supervisors that communication between the two boards has been "very lax and practically zero."It's McConnell's intent to go to each month's supervisors meeting until he can determine how often he needs to attend to ensure that there is good understanding and communication between the school board and supervisors.McConnell's idea received a good reception from the supervisors.It looks to be a win-win situation.

No doubt many Mars School District parents tell their children to pay attention in class — especially when their children's grades don't stack up against expectations.But a test of the district's new rapid communications system this month — a system whose intent, at least in part, is to alert parents and guardians about an emergency in progress — revealed a lapse in attention by the parents or guardians of some students.Despite the district's extensive efforts to get the word out that a test message would be received, phones in the administration office were jammed for two hours by parents and guardians calling in to seek information about what they thought was a real emergency.William Pettigrew, district superintendent, told the school board that many forgot about the planned test of the system, which can contact 800 parents in one minute.The parents who jammed up the district's phone lines should be prepared for at least a lighthearted retort the next time they question whether their children's minds have been focused on something other than the subject matter being taught by their teachers.But the parents in question can take comfort in the fact that they weren't subject to a bad grade in response to their forgetfulness.