Showing posts with label Law Order Traffic Red Light Cameras. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Law Order Traffic Red Light Cameras. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Westminster turns off pair of red light cameras, saying they've done their job

Westminster turns off pair of red light cameras, saying they've done their job

Carroll Eagle – Jim Joyner: Westminster turns off pair of red light cameras, saying they've done their job

Westminster turns off pair of red light cameras, saying they've done their job

But police will maintain camera at Nursery Road, where violations are high



The City of Westminster this week pulled the plug on a pair of red light cameras at one of the county's busiest intersections — at routes 140 and 97 — saying the cameras had, by and large, done their job in helping reduce accidents and red light runners.

"You do what you say you're going to do," said Maj. Ron Stevens of the Westminster Police Department regarding the removal of the cameras, which was approved by the Westminster Common Council on Monday.

"We said all along that the cameras were needed because of safety issues," Stevens said. "They've definitely worked — people are much more aware of the dangers of the intersection."

But the department will continue to operate another red light camera a block away at Route 97 and Nursery Road, based on data that shows continued high rates of violations on that stretch of road.

It's the second time that Westminster has reduced its use of red light cameras since it first installed five of the devices in spring 2010.

[…]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/ph-ce-red-lights-0715-20120711,0,1274939.story Law Order Traffic Red Light Cameras, Law Order Traffic Speed Cameras, Westminster Police Chief Spaulding-Jeff, Westminster Police, Westminster Police Traffic Safety, Traffic Westminster,


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Saturday, February 27, 2010

Westminster MD begins using red-light cameras March 1, 2010

Westminster MD begins using red-light cameras March 1, 2010 http://tinyurl.com/yg27ug5

WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
36 LOCUST STREET
WESTMINSTER, MD 21157
410-848-4646

JEFFREY SPAULDING
CHIEF OF POLICE

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2010

On Monday, March 1, 2010, as part of an on-going comprehensive traffic safety initiative, the Westminster Police Department will activate red light cameras at two intersections within the City.

Red light cameras have been installed to monitor violations on eastbound and westbound MD Route 140 at Malcolm Drive (including the dual left turn lanes) as well as southbound MD Route 97 at Nursery Round (including the left turn lane). The cameras will monitor traffic twenty four hours a day.

Based on extensive research, these two intersections were approved by the Maryland State Highway Administration for the installation of cameras due to a high number of red light running violations as well as crashes that were the result of red light running.

Starting on March 1, 2010 and continuing through March 14, 2010, violators who are detected running red lights at either of these locations will receive a warning notice. Individuals who receive a warning notice during this period will not be subject to a fine or any other penalty, but simply reminded via the warning notice to correct the driving behavior that resulted in their running the red light. Beginning on March 15, 2010, violators will receive citations.

Consistent with Maryland law governing the use of red light cameras, violations are considered a civil infraction and carry a seventy five dollar fine. Citations are sent to the registered owner of the vehicle involved and the registered owner can either pay the fine or stand trial in District Court. Upon paying the fine or a conviction in court, the registered owner will not receive points on their driver’s license and their insurance company cannot raise their rates.

Red light cameras have been utilized in Maryland since 1998 and their usage has resulted in a significant decrease in not only the number of instances of red light running but in red light running related collisions as well.


#################################################

MEDIA CONTACT

Captain Gerry Frischkorn
Administrative Bureau
Westminster Police Department
36 Locust Street
Westminster, Maryland 21157
(410) 848-1638

WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
TIPS LINE— (410) 857-8477

20100226 sdsom Media Release Red Light Camera Activation Date Law Order Lunacy, Law Order Traffic Red Light Cameras, This is nuts, Traffic Westminster, Westminster Police Traffic Safety

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/02/westminster-md-begins-using-red-light.html http://tinyurl.com/yg27ug5
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Monday, February 22, 2010

EAGLE ALERT: Sykesville becomes first Carroll municipality to approve speed cameras


Sykesville becomes first Carroll municipality to approve speed cameras

Police Chief: It will be several months before cameras would be in place

http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3991/cameras/

By Charles Schelle, Posted 2/22/10

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/14uhxk or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/406357981/sykesville-becomes-first-carroll-municipality-to

SYKESVILLE — Carroll County should have its first speed cameras installed this year following the Sykesville Town Council's vote tonight (Monday) to approve a speed camera ordinance.

At its meeting at the Town House and after a second public hearing, the council voted 5-1 in favor of speed cameras. Mayor Mike Miller and council members Leslie Reed, Frank Robert Jr., Ian Shaw and Chris True voted in favor while Councilman Leo Keenan voted against. Councilman Scott Sanzone was absent.

"I'm ecstatic," Police Chief John Williams Jr., told The Eagle. "Time and time again, the number one issue in our town is speeding, speeding, speeding."

The town expects to operate three mobile speed camera units in three school areas/zones for speed cameras:

• Ava Wanas Montessori School, 7590 College Road;

• Springfield Presbyterian School/Stepping Stones Pre-School, 7300 Spout Hill Road; and

• Sykesville Middle School, 7301 Springfield Ave.

READ MORE AT ... http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3991/cameras/

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/02/eagle-alert-sykesville-becomes-first.html http://tinyurl.com/ye3pakc

Sykesville MD becomes first Carroll municipality to approve speed cameras http://tinyurl.com/ye3pakc http://twitpic.com/14uhxk http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/406357981/sykesville-becomes-first-carroll-municipality-to

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Bryan Sears live-Tweeting from speed camera meeting

Bryan Sears live-Tweeting from speed camera meeting in Baltimore County

August 19, 2009

Bryan P. Sears, the political editor of Patuxent Publishing Co.'s eight Baltimore County community newspapers – and covers government and politics in Baltimore County and state government and politics as it relates to the county; was live-Tweeting from speed camera meeting in Baltimore County tonight at the Towson library.

The meeting began at 7 p.m. I followed along at Twitter.com/bpsears.

More: http://explorebaltimorecounty.com/blog/politics/238/tweeting-from-speed-camera-meeting

This was an incredible effort on the part of Mr. Sears. I copied and pasted some of the running commentary. Go to the bottom of this post to find the beginning…

For Mr. Sears’ entire body of work – go to Twitter.com/bpsears

In the future, follow Mr. Sears at Twitter.com/bpsears and at “strange bedfellows.” Recent posts include: Cardin proposal prank called ‘part of culture of entitlement’; MACo party pictures revealed; Tweeting from speed camera meeting; Marriage proposal leaves unanswered questions; McDonough’s campaign caveat; and A delegate, a faux police raid, and an engagement.

Now for the speed camera event…
______

Bartenfelder thanked the audience an closed the meeting (8:15 PM)

That was the last speaker

Tim Tilghman says barcodes on bottoms of cars are recorded by the government as they move through intersections

One member of the audience said he objects to the company getting 50 % of the fine for each ticket

Dana Brauer: We need a policeman to sit at the school, we don't need a camera

Dana says we need more policemen doing enforcement

Dana Brauer, Tom's wife, is next

Tom Brauer: Md is turning into MD the police state and I don't like it one little bitt

Weist: Bottom line is this is not a violation of your due process

Weist: We've lost ten dogs and cats. My neighbor has a 3-legged cat because people can't drive 25 mph

Cynthia Weist — you cannot put speed bumps on stevenson lane (in towson)

Baisden: Traffic is the number one issue in out community

Ruth Baisden, pres Greater Parkville Community Council "I'm really here to seek solutions and get the facts."

Johnson: Sporting activities

Reinhardt: I don't know of any school open at 8 p.m.

Richard Reinhart, an aide to Del. JB Jennings

Johnson: operating between Mon- Fri 6 a.m. to 8 p.m but couldn't say how far they can see

Norma Secoura of Overlea said she is concerned about where and how the cameras are activated and how far the can see

Fiastro asked council to withdraw the legislation

John Fiastro, pres. of 42nd districtr Republican club is showing a map

Kilcullen: for me personally all the problems I've heard tonight with speed cameras can be averted by following the speed limit

Ed Kilcullen, pres of Greater Towson Council of Community Associations, the group voted in support of the state bill

Honeywell: I'm a natural born citizen of the Democratic Socialist republic of Maryland

Don Honeywell is up next

McDonough: I like you better

Johnson: I like you too

McDonough: you do a fantastic job

McDonough: you're convicted by the camera

Del. Pat McDonough just came in and is speaking

Seehuesen: it might have the effect of being a defacto increase in the speed limit making a 25 mph limit a 37 mph zone

Joe Seebhuesen (sorry if I'm misspelling, I don't have a list) things it's important for police to make these stops at schools

Bailey: one at every public school would be 170

Bailey to lafferty: You started off the meeting the wrong way by accusing people who oppose this of not caring about children

Steve bailey, former dep. state's attorney said he is "vehemently opposed" to speed cameras

speakers are each allowed 2 minutes to make their comments

there's a sign up list for public speakers but so far people are calling out questions

Johnson: baltimore county will not place them in work zones

Johnson: we're looking at 6-12 cameras in the county at this time

speakers are up next

Johnson: looking at 214 sites across the county for speed cameras

state law permits speed cameras in school zones and high work zones…

Mohler: we hope to collect very little money from this.

Mohler: I understand why there is cynicism. I understand why people are distrustful of government.

Mohler: we don't have locations yet

Mohler: I respect everyone's opinions but we respectfully disagree on this issue of whether it's about revenue or about public safety

Don Mohler will now speak for Co. Exec. Smith

smattering of applause when Impallaria says he's "sick of government lying to us."

Impallaria: the one mile limit pretty much covers every area of the state

Impallaria: no one contacted me, not one single communtiy group came to me saying they wanted these

Impallaria: people in England hang tires on them and set them on fire

Impallaria: people across the world have been outraged about these cameras

Del. Impallaria is now speaking

Lafferty: Bill is about protecting children

Lafferty said during session he received overwhelming support for speed cameras

Lafferty holds up flier saying he voted for speed camera and calls it "a piece of crap"

Various elected officials are also in attendance including Dels. Steve Lafferty, Rick Impallaria and Bill Frank

Chief of police, Councilmen Ken Oliver and Bryan McIntire and Don Mohler are part of the panel.

Meeting on Speed cameras in Baltimore County opens with statement from Council Chrmn Joe Bartenfelder

Speed Camera meeting in Towson should begin soon.

G'morning all. Covering speed camera meeting tonight in Towson. Anything you want asked?
http://tinyurl.com/l8enna

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Tweeting from speed camera meeting http://explorebaltimorecounty.com/blog/politics/238/tweeting-from-speed-camera-meeting By Bryan P. Sears Posted: August 19, 2009
Just a note to our readers: I’ll be live blogging a
meeting regarding speed cameras in Baltimore County tonight at the Towson library. You can follow along tonight at Twitter.com/bpsears. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

[…]

Look back here at
explorebaltimorecounty.com for stories and updates.

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Bartenfelder to host meeting on speed cameras
http://explorebaltimorecounty.com/news/101035/speedmeet/#comments
Session set for Wednesday at Towson Library
Posted 8/18/09
Baltimore County Council Chairman Joe Bartenfelder is hosting an information community meeting this week on the proposed legislation to authorize speed cameras in Baltimore County.

The meeting will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the Towson Library, 320 York Road.

Legislation proposing speed cameras in school zones was introduced at the County Council this month, and will be the subject of a Sept. 1 work session.

A vote on the measure is expected at the council’s Sept. 8 meeting.


20090819 sdsom BPS live tweeting BCo speed camera meeting
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Thursday, May 1, 2008

Red eye in the camera

Red eye in the camera

The Tentacle April 30, 2008 “Seeing Red-Eye in the Camera” by Kevin E. Dayhoff

The discussion and debate over speed and red light cameras continues to reverberate. It is one of a number of headaches lingering in the aftermath of the recent and unusual session of the Maryland General Assembly.

[…]

One of the main sticking points was a poison amendment that would have sent the proceeds to the state as opposed to remaining in the local jurisdiction.

And there in a nutshell was the rub. If the legislation was truly offered as a public safety initiative, then why did it matter that the fines collected would not stay in the local jurisdiction?

If the truth were told, the purpose of the legislation was to “enhance” the coffers of local government. It was a wolf in the sheep’s clothing disguised as a “public safety initiative.”

Perhaps the only thing missing was language that the legislation is “for the children.”

[…]

Red light cameras have been around in Maryland for quite a number of years. Speed cameras were first proposed in Maryland around 2003. Four years later the Maryland General Assembly approved them for use in Montgomery County.

A March 2006 editorial in the Annapolis newspaper, The Capital, noted a fall 2005 Washington Post “analysis of red-light camera use in Washington, D.C., where such devices have totaled up more than 500,000 violations and $32 million in fines in six years.”

The analysis found that “the number of accidents at intersections with the cameras was going up at either the same rate or a faster rate than at intersections without the cameras. There was no evidence the cameras were preventing collisions or injuries.”

[…]

Advocates for red light and speeding cameras still need to make their case. The perception is growing that the cameras are much more about raising money than traffic safety.

As much as it is impossible for police officers to be everywhere all the time, the best way to address traffic safety, when common sense and prudence have taken a holiday, is by awareness and education – and “constant enforcement” – by humans, not predatory computer programmed cameras.


Read my column in its entirety here: Seeing Red-Eye in the Camera

http://tinyurl.com/dhuul3

20080430 TT Seeing Red eye in the camera
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/