Company pitches LiDAR automated school‑zone cameras; council weighs safety and revenue issues

BlueLine Solutions representative Jason presented an automated school‑zone speed enforcement program (rear‑plate stills, LiDAR speed measurement, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. enforcement per Rhode Island statute) and shared local speed‑study numbers showing substantial volumes of speeders at several Coventry school zones.

What the vendor described: Jason said the company absorbs installation and processing costs, operates an in‑house image review and citation‑processing back office, and uses a phased approach (public education, warning, enforcement). He told council members his firm often aims to recover installation costs within 18–24 months and charges per‑incident fees (example rate cited $16.50 to the vendor, $33.50 gross per incident in shared examples). He described a typical Rhode Island pole installation estimate (~$82,000 per pole) but said his company pays up front under their standard contract and seeks to recoup costs through citations.

Council questions and concerns: Council members pressed the company on how revenue would be shared or allocated, administrative workload for police, accuracy and spoiling rates, appeals and collections, and whether images would be available for other law‑enforcement uses. Jason said the system is typically a stand‑alone enforcement database to limit personally identifiable information (rear‑plate stills only), though the company can integrate with ALPR systems if the town chooses. Several members emphasized public‑safety motives and urged that revenue be placed into a restricted fund (for traffic safety or capital) rather than the general fund if the town pursues a contract.

Next steps: Council members asked staff to draft an ordinance and a resolution (Middletown and North Kingstown contracts were provided as models) for first reading, and to return with a recommended revenue allocation and operational agreement for future consideration.