Kenmore resident urges clear, movable warning signs for mobile speed cameras

Rich Osborne, a long-time Kenmore resident, urged the City Council during public comment to adopt consistent, conspicuous warning signage for any mobile speed cameras used in the city and to avoid reducing speed limits immediately before installing cameras. Osborne said his concerns stem from local implementations where speed limits were reduced and cameras later enforced the new limit. “Do not change the limit and then add the cameras,” he said. He described a neighbor who received a $100 ticket after the speed limit change and called for signage placed well before camera locations so drivers have time to slow down. Osborne said the city should move the warning sign along with the camera and never leave a sign in place if the camera is not present. He also urged the council to clarify the length of any advertised grace period and to respond to residents’ questions about how cameras will be implemented. The comments were part of the meeting’s public-comment period; the council took no formal action on the topic at that session. Osborne said he would send a copy of his remarks to the clerk and asked for a response from either the council or transportation staff on whether his concerns would be addressed. Osborne acknowledged he supports camera use in some settings for safety — for example, construction-zone implementations — but stressed fairness and transparency in how the cameras are placed and signposted.