Pembroke Park approves automated speed enforcement contract with Blue Line Solutions

The Town Commission voted April 20 to award a contract to Blue Line Solutions to deploy automated speed-enforcement cameras in Pembroke Park's school zones.

Richard Rand, representing Blue Line Solutions, said the company's program focuses on education and safety rather than revenue generation and that the firm will handle advertising, installation, and payment processing at no up-front cost to the town. "This program is really about educating the residents of Pembroke Park about the issues of speeding in school zones," Rand said.

Under the contract discussed at the meeting, citations would first be handled administratively with a town hearing officer (a magistrate) if contested. If a citation is not paid or a local hearing is not scheduled, state statute converts the citation into a uniform traffic citation and it proceeds to the Broward County Clerk's Office; administrative and court fees up to $350 may apply under that process, the vendor said. Blue Line said it reconciles payments and transmits collected fines to the town about the 15th of each month.

Commissioners pressed company representatives about consumer protections. Blue Line's representative said the company operates a local office in Hollywood with staff who speak multiple languages and that it offers payment plans for people who cannot afford the $100 civil citation. The company also said it deploys radar-feedback signs and a public-information campaign; Blue Line said there are typically three warnings given before a camera will issue a ticket.

Commissioners voted to approve the contract; the roll call was affirmative. The town attorney noted the administrative hearing process and cost-sharing rules are set out in the town ordinance adopted at the last regular meeting and in state law, but the company's payment-plan and local customer-service practices are a company-specific offering that the town can incorporate into its agreement.

Clarifying details - Cost to the town: Company representatives said the program has "no cost to the city" for equipment and initial deployment; contract allows termination for convenience by the town on 30 days' notice, and the company said it is not aware of a termination fee. - Fines and procedures: The vendor said the civil citation is $100; unpaid citations that move to the court can incur additional administrative or court fees (vendor cited up to $350 depending on court processing). Blue Line said tickets carry no points on drivers' licenses. - Dispute/hearing process: Alleged violations are reviewable by a hearing officer/magistrate; the town's ordinance governs appeals and enforcement flow to the Broward County Clerk's Office if unpaid.

Speakers (excerpt) - Richard Rand, Blue Line Solutions, company representative - Mayor Mohammed, Mayor - Town Manager, Town Manager - Town Attorney (present)

Action - kind:contract_award; identifiers:{agenda_item_id:"7.5",contract_number:"not specified"}; motion:"Approve contract with Blue Line Solutions for automated speed enforcement"; mover:"not specified"; second:"not specified"; vote_record:[{"member":"Vice Mayor Morissette","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Acting Clerk Commissioner Kashem","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Mayor Mohammed","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Commissioner Hodgkins","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Commissioner Jacobs","vote":"yes"}]; tally:{yes:5,no:0,abstain:0}; outcome:"approved"; notes:"Company to provide public education, radar-feedback signs and local customer service; town ordinance defines hearing process."

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