Smile Chestertown drivers; pretty soon you’re going to be on camera.
At Monday night’s town meeting, representatives from RedSpeed, a speed enforcement company based in Illinois, went over the company’s mobile speed units, which will soon be parked in town school zones.
“I think you have several school zones in the area where speeding is an issue,” said Gia Colinara, project manager.
The mobile units will be housed in a Ford Escape or Mercury Mariner. The cameras will be on Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any vehicle going 12mph over the speed limit in a posted school zone will receive a $40 citation in the mail, but no points on their driver’s license. For the first 30 days that the units are in place warnings will be issued to drivers.
“You will see an instant decrease (in speeding.) That’s what the cameras are here to do, change driver behavior,” said Colinara.
To make sure it is sending out accurate citations the company has a three step check list it follows. First the digital image is looked at by an employee to filter out any emergency vehicles with lights on, then it is checked by a supervisor before being electronically sent on to the Chestertown Police Department. Using a special software program, officers can check “yes” or “no” to issue the violation. RedSpeed pays for all the printing, mailing, and postage.
Town Manager Bill Ingersoll asked if the company provided a representative to testify should a resident decide to fight the citation in court.
“Oh yes, we show up,” Colinara said. She said in Prince George’s County RedSpeed has a mobile unit set up on a commuter highway into D.C. and issues about 3,000 citations a month. “Of that only 2 or 4 people contest the tickets.”
Scott Hemings, RedSpeed engineer, said in addition to school zones around Kent County Middle School, Garnett Elementary School, and the Chestertown Christian Academy, he also looked at Washington Avenue next to Washington College as a possible location for a speed camera. But because Rt. 213 is a state road the town would need permission from the State Highway Administration.
“We would need the support from the council and public if we wanted the state to go that way,” said Ingersoll.
Hemings cautioned people about buying camera blocking technology, such as reflective license plate covers. “We’ve tested photo blocking technology extensively and 95 percent of what is on the market doesn’t work.”
The mobile units should be on the road by January.
unfairlee says
Do we have to build a school on Bay Shore Road in Fairlee to get a speed camera? For 7 years we have been complaining about the speeding, and now that Sheriff manpower is not needed…I would only hope that something can be done here. Speed limit is 25mph, average speed is way way above that, endangering children, pets and people retrieving their mail.. As long as the money from the cameras goes into the local coffers, I think we can hit the jackpot. Ca-ching.
Doneitall says
Why not just give RedSpeed a grant and raise taxes in the County? This is simply a revenue generator for those involved..
thatguy says
Speeding cameras should be illegal. You are farming out police work, a government regulation, to a third party private company whose sole purpose is to generate profit. I agree that speeding in Chestertown is an issue that needs to be addressed. However entrusting a government activity to a privately held company has the potential to make citizens suffer. This is solely a money making tactic for the town and it should be seen as that. This is shameful that they would exploit the private citizen for these reasons and justify it under terms of public safety. If the town really wanted to reduce speeding they would take actions that have been proven more effective. The fact that they are only issuing a relativity small fine, and no points on a license, proves that longterm reduction of speeding is not a top issue. No points means no punishment, and the small fine that is easily payable by most people is even less of a deterrent. I believe these cameras will not reduce speeding on average over a long period of time in Chestertown, and they are being used only to generate money for the town. Shameful
John says
Maybe the revenues raised would allow the County to reinstate curbside recycling?