Tacoma committee forwards code changes to expand automated traffic cameras, presses equity and data safeguards

The Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee voted April 23 to forward proposed amendments to Tacoma Municipal Code Chapter 11.6 to the full City Council so the city can expand its automated traffic enforcement program under recent state law.

The committee heard a presentation from Carrie Wilhelm, principal transportation planner in the Public Works Department, and Eric Huseby, assistant division manager for transportation, who said the proposed code changes are intended to align Tacoma code with House Bill 2384 and related state requirements and to add clarity on program operations, data use and penalties.

Wilhelm and Huseby told the committee the city now operates 14 automated enforcement cameras, including one fixed speed camera on Bay Street, nine red-light cameras and four school‑zone cameras covering two schools (Stewart Middle School and Bird Downing Elementary). Wilhelm said the city’s data show “99 percent of our drivers actually do not receive a citation” when cameras are present and that “88 percent of those drivers who receive a citation do not reoffend.”

Why it matters: the 2024 legislation (House Bill 2384) broadens where cities may site cameras and adds equity, transparency and reporting requirements. Among the state-level changes staff said they are implementing, the law requires an equity analysis for each new camera location, provides a 50% reduced fine for qualifying low‑income first‑time offenders, and directs that revenue from new cameras…