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Smithville resident presses board over school-zone speed cameras; police describe 30-day warning period
Summary
A resident questioned when school-zone speed cameras will move from warnings to citations and who bears costs; the police chief said a 30-day warning period is planned, the traffic study was reimbursed by the camera company, and the city reported no out-of-pocket installation costs.
Steve Cantrell, a property owner on West Main, used the board’s public forum to press the city for details about recently installed school-zone speed cameras and related costs. “I'd like to know…when will tickets vice warnings, be issued?” Cantrell asked, and he asked for the start date and clarification of who would enforce citations.
The Police Chief responded that a start date for ticketing is “undetermined” and described a 30-day warning period during which drivers exceeding the school-zone limit by 11 mph would receive warnings rather than citations. The chief said the traffic study was fully reimbursed by the camera company and that the city had incurred “$0” in out-of-pocket costs for installation or purchase of equipment.
Cantrell also asked whether the contractor or the police chief handles citation review; the chief said each ticket will be reviewed by the police chief, which the chief characterized as an added legal review. Cantrell asked about the city’s exposure if the contract were terminated before equipment costs were recovered; the chief said he saw “no reason that the city would terminate” the two-year contract.
The exchange reflected public confusion about enforcement timing and cost responsibility. The board did not set a firm ticketing start date during the meeting; the chief’s comments left enforcement timing open and emphasized the city had not paid for the traffic study or equipment out-of-pocket.
