Greenwich Selectmen Approve Ordinance, Paving Way For Speed Cameras

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Board of Selectmen on Thursday unanimously approved an ordinance that paves the way for automated traffic enforcement safety devices — or speed cameras — to be installed around town, specifically in public and private school zones.

Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey and outgoing Town Administrator Ben Branyan went before the board for a second reading of the agenda item, and said they had gotten "very little negative feedback" on the idea for speed cameras.

The board also said they had heard little negative feedback from the community.

"It's going to be a positive thing," Heavey said.

Branyan explained that May 9 is the closing date of the Request For Proposal (RFP) for vendors of the camera equipment, but Greenwich is still "months away from issuing a contract."

While the focus is on speed cameras in school zones, the town is looking for vendors who also offer red light camera technology to "provide flexibility for future need," Branyan told Patch last month.

Heavey said officials will conduct traffic studies in advance of any placement of speed cameras.

"Our focus is going to be on school zones, and we'll identify locations where these will be most effective," Heavey said. "There would be a period of change where we have signs posted, installation of the devices, and we would do the enforcement."

The ordinance that was approved Thursday outlines how the devices work, what constitutes a violation, what the fines are for a violation, and what the hearing/appeal process is for tickets.

According to the ordinance, an automated traffic enforcement safety device would detect when a passing vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit by 10 mph or more, and a photograph would be taken of the offender's vehicle/license plate.

A sworn member of the police department or town employee designated by the traffic authority would review and approve recorded images from the device.

Heavey said the cameras will transmit information to a member of the GPD's traffic section for review.

If an employee determines there is reasonable grounds to believe that a violation occurred, the employee can issue a fine by first class mail to the owner of the vehicle.

The fine would be $50 for the first violation, and $75 for each subsequent violation, according to the ordinance.

Anyone issued a citation has the right to a citation hearing before "citation hearing officers" appointed by the first selectman. Heavey likened the hearing process to what the town does for parking tickets.

The ordinance also details an appeals process.

Money collected from fines will go toward offsetting the cost for the devices as well as traffic safety initiatives in town.

Last month, Heavey cited studies that showed a 50-60 percent reduction in speeding around schools when these devices are installed.

"This is a public safety measure," First Selectman Fred Camillo said Thursday. "It's not a revenue generator."

Selectwoman Lauren Rabin said she was glad to see an appeals process and the ability to refute a ticket.

"This is going to extend I think the ability to enforce, and that's what I feel like a lot of the residents have been asking for for quite some time," she said. "But I do understand somebody might feel it infringes upon their individual rights, and as long as they have the opportunity to refute something, that's the best I believe we could do."

Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan reiterated her point from last month's meeting that she believes public education is vital on speed cameras.

Camillo said the town will continue to push information out through social media channels, and Heavey mentioned perhaps including information in resident tax bills.

Branyan said he expects the town to coordinate with the winning vendor on launching a public education campaign about the speed cameras.

Officials in Stamford are a step ahead of Greenwich on speed cameras. Officials there have identified six initial locations near various schools for 12 total speed cameras. A public hearing is expected on location plans later this month.