Call it a reverse speed trap.
Someone tried to thwart Florida deputies’ efforts to catch speeding drivers in southwest Florida — and it worked.
On Facebook, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said its deputies had set up a “speed enforcement operation’’ in Golden Gate Estates in Naples after receiving requests by area residents.
When the deputies realized no one was speeding, they were puzzled.
“Traffic was steady, so why had they identified just one driver who was traveling over the speed limit?” the office said.
After they concluded their traffic operation, deputies discovered a wooden sign with big bold red letters that read “POLICE AHEAD” about a quarter of a mile ahead of where they had set up their enforcement.
“Well played, Anonymous Sign Artist,” the police department posted on Facebook with a photo of the sign. “Well played.”
Deputies seemed to take the joke all in good fun. They also posted a photo of the warning in front of a 45 mile per hour sign and one of their pick up trucks.
The Facebook post, which ended with “Mystery solved” and several smiling and laughing emojis, has been shared more than 1,000 times.