Speed Cameras Expected In Greenwich: Here's When They Could Be Installed

GREENWICH, CT — Speed cameras are expected to be installed in up to 10 school zones in Greenwich after the Board of Selectmen held a public hearing and granted approval to police last week.

The State of Connecticut must now approve permits before the cameras can be installed.

According to Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey, that approval could come in the next 60 days, meaning cameras could be in place by the start of school in September.

Heavey did not specify exactly where the cameras will be placed. Sgt. James Smith of the Greenwich Police Department's Traffic Section told Patch the locations will be announced once the state grants final approval.

"This would probably cause a 60 to 70 percent reduction in speeding around schools," Heavey told the selectmen during the board's regularly scheduled meeting on April 10. "We really think it's going to be effective."

The GPD contracted with tech company Blue Line Solutions to bring TrueBlue Speed Enforcement Systems to town, Heavey noted. Public Act 22-136 authorizes municipalities to use automated traffic enforcement safety devices, but plans must be reviewed and approved by the state.

Surveys and traffic studies conducted by BlueLine Solutions identified 10 school zones that have the highest number of speeders.

The Board of Selectmen in May 2024 approved an ordinance that outlines how the enforcement 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, a speed camera 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.

If a violation is deemed to have occurred after a review, a fine would be issued by first class mail to the owner of the vehicle.

Fines are $50 for the first violation, and $75 for each subsequent violation, according to the ordinance.

Warnings will be issued for the first 30 days, after which enforcement will begin, Heavey said last week.

When the ordinance was approved, Heavey said money collected from fines will go toward offsetting the cost for the devices as well as traffic safety initiatives in town.

Anyone issued a citation has the right to a citation hearing before "citation hearing officers" appointed by the first selectman.

This month, Heavey said there has been a 51 percent increase in traffic enforcement thanks to grants the department utilized. As a result, there has been a reduction in accidents by 43 percent.

"This is not to generate finances," Heavey said of the speed cameras. "It's not to do anything other than create a safe environment around schools."

Last year, former Town Administrator Ben Branyan told Patch that officials were looking for camera vendors who also offered red light camera technology to "provide flexibility for future need."

Last Thursday, Heavey said red light cameras would also need state approval, and certain criteria must be met.

"As I stand here today... There's only one or two lights in Greenwich that would qualify because of the number of accidents [there]," Heavey said, noting the department uses other strategies along with grant money and traffic enforcement to reduce red light violations.

Greenwich police are expected to publicize the speed cameras before they're installed. Signage will also be posted.

"I'm sure once the signs go up on either end of the speed enforcement cameras that people will slow down before we turn the cameras on, which will be a good thing," Heavey added.