Greenwich police outline speed-camera rollout near schools, cite preliminary drops in violations
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Police Chief Huey told the Board of Education that the town installed speed cameras under a 2024 state law, described vendor review and appeal steps, and shared preliminary vendor data showing large reductions in repeat violators while underscoring that numbers are early and subject to review.
Police Chief Huey briefed the Greenwich Board of Education on the town—s recently deployed speed-camera program near school zones, saying the effort grew out of a 2024 change in state law that allows municipalities to operate automated enforcement.
Huey said the town selected a vendor called Blue Line after surveying public and private schools, and that the vendor—s algorithm filters plate data before sending suspected violations in batches for officer review. The town ran a 30‑day warning period before issuing fines, he said; the first fine is $50 plus a service fee, and subsequent fines are higher.
On enforcement results, Huey cited vendor figures that showed a large reduction in repeat violators after the warning period. He said Eagle Hill School recorded about 1,230 warnings and dropped to roughly 116 summonses after warnings; North Street School had about 4,341 warnings and about 107 summonses in the same period. Huey described those figures as preliminary vendor numbers and said they represent a significant decline, while noting the program remains in an educational phase.
Huey addressed privacy and retention concerns. He said cameras do not retain images of occupants and that noncriminal license-plate data are retained for about 90 days; data related to criminal matters are kept longer. He said there is a multi-step appeals process: the vendor filters anomalies, a police officer reviews suspected violations, a civilian police-advisory board appointed by the board of selectmen reviews challenges, and ultimately the courts may adjudicate disputes.
On hours of operation, Huey said cameras enforce the reduced school-zone speed when flashers are active (roughly half an hour before and after bell times) and otherwise enforce the posted limit. He said the vendor model required no upfront town outlay for installation and that fine revenues are designated for a restricted town account for education, engineering and enforcement related to school-zone safety.
Huey also flagged an operational concern: some large yellow buses were recorded exceeding posted limits; he said the department will follow up. Several board members thanked the chief and pressed for clearer public information; Huey agreed to ensure town and department websites and notices are updated.
The board did not take action on the camera program during the meeting.
Ending: The presentation closed with board members expressing support for continued monitoring and public outreach; Chief Huey said the department would return with updates as the program matures.