Greenwich Selectmen Consider Speed Camera Ordinance

GREENWICH, CT — In an effort to increase traffic safety, the town and the Greenwich Police Department are looking to install speed cameras, specifically in both public and private school zones.

Police Chief James Heavey appeared before the Board of Selectmen on Thursday to request the approval of an ordinance for the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices, as outlined in Public Act 23-116.

As the traffic authority, the Board of Selectmen is the first and only stop for the ordinance, as it does not require approval from the Representative Town Meeting. No vote was taken, and the board expects to revisit the agenda item during its next meeting on May 9.

Town Administrator Ben Branyan said the administration has issued a Request For Proposal for vendors of the camera equipment; the RFP closes on May 9.

"I just want to remind the board that the number one top priority in the resident satisfaction survey was traffic issues, and the intent of this is to really hone in on school zones," Branyan said to the board. "So when we issued the RFP, we highlighted both public and private school zones we'd like these devices to be installed."

While the focus is on speed cameras in school zones, the town is looking for vendors who also offer red light camera technology in order to "provide flexibility for future need," Branyan told Patch after Thursday's selectmen meeting.

The ordinance 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 the what the town does for parking tickets.

The ordinance also details an appeals process.

Heavey said proceeds from fines will go toward the vendor and the cost for device installation. Money will also be put into a fund earmarked for traffic safety initiatives.

"This isn't a revenue generator," First Selectman Fred Camillo said. "This is really to change habits and for public safety."

Heavey said the GPD already utilizes automated technology in the form of license plate readers to deter crime, and speed cameras would help make an impact on traffic safety.

"Most of the studies say that the installation of the cameras, including the warning signs, reduces speeding in that area by 50 or 60 percent," Heavey said. "There will be an eventual time where there will be fatigue where we have good compliance in a certain area, but it's definitely going to be an advantage."

Heavey also noted that there will be traffic studies done in advance of any camera installation to determine where they will have the greatest impact.

"Although we have 15 public schools and six private schools, we'll determine which schools where they would be the most effective," he said. "We're not going to put these up on every street."

Selectwoman Lauren Rabin said "it's a great idea" to have the cameras in school zones.

"I've already received some emails in support of it, especially because it's at school locations where we have our children," she said.

Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan said she'd be supportive of the cameras.

"I think there's going to be a lot of community support for it, but I will say, just to manage expectations, I think we need a public information session to explain to the community how this works," she added.

Locally in nearby Stamford, the Board of Representatives approved a similar ordinance for speed cameras in early April.