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Chief Cheney: citations and calls rising; committee weighs speed cameras, rotating humps and mapping software
Summary
Police data presented to the Public Safety Committee shows rising traffic citations and calls for service in 2025 and staffing shortfalls; Chief Cheney and council members discussed multiple speed‑mitigation strategies — speed humps, flashing stop signs, "flock" cameras and a trial of speed‑mapping software — with possible budgeting for a trial next year.
Chief Cheney told the Public Safety Committee the department is "very busy," providing year-over‑year enforcement and activity figures and outlining staffing constraints.
"In 2023, we wrote 1,122 citations; '24 we were at 1,276. This year we're already at 1,230," Cheney said, and projected the city could reach about 1,638 citations for 2025 at current monthly averages. He added the department is on pace for roughly 11,262 calls for service in 2025, an increase of about 700 calls over 2023.
Cheney said the force is short-staffed (14 officers on the roster, two in academy, two vacancies) and described activity by the neighborhood-resident-officer and mutual aid runs to neighboring jurisdictions. Council members and staff discussed tools to slow speeds: improved flashing stop‑sign fixtures in school and park areas; conventional and rotating speed humps; and commercial products that map speed patterns or use plate-capture cameras (often described as "flock" cameras) to deter speeding. Cheney said his office has been in touch with other chiefs and that the city may trial speed‑mapping software this year or include a trial in next year’s budget.
Several council members voiced concern about street damage from rotating speed humps and urged a balanced approach. The committee did not vote on any measure but asked staff to return with implementation options, cost estimates and a timeline.
