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Kenmore delays rollout of transportable speed cameras after King County court backlog
Summary
The city paused planned transportable automated‑photo enforcement cameras because King County courts face a backlog of hearings from increased citations; staff said they expect a 3–6 month delay and will coordinate activation with court capacity and track program costs.
Kenmore officials told the council they are pausing deployment of transportable automated‑photo enforcement cameras after learning King County courts are experiencing a backlog of hearings tied to rising citation volumes.
Engineering Director John Vicente said earlier camera expansion and 24/7 enforcement raised the number of tickets submitted to the courts, which in turn increased hearings and administrative burden for the courts. ‘‘After having conversations with the clerks of the court, we’ve decided to hold off on implementing any further cameras so that they can get caught up,’’ Vicente said, adding the city is ‘‘anticipating…3 to 6 months’’ before courts can provide the needed additional resources.
Staff emphasized they will coordinate deployment timing with the courts and that some signage is being installed in strategic locations to warn drivers of forthcoming photo enforcement zones. Councilors asked whether signs should be bagged until cameras are active and asked staff to return with a cost‑benefit update, including program‑related staffing costs for prosecutors, court time and any pro tem judges; staff said they will track those costs and return later in the year with more detail.
Councilors also asked for specific transportable camera deployment locations; staff said they have identified initial sites (including near 170th and other prescribed locations), but will not go live until coordination with county courts is complete.
