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Thornton police report shows early results from speed vehicles and red-light cameras
Summary
Police presented Q4 public-safety and traffic data and updates on automated enforcement: two speed-enforcement vehicles (43 deployments, 369 violations, 1,266 warnings) and red-light cameras at 88th & Washington (75 violations, 215 warnings); staff will continue to evaluate data and return with recommendations.
Thornton Police Chief Jim Baird told council the department's fourth-quarter public-safety briefing emphasizes traffic enforcement and the city's recent deployment of automated tools.
Chief Baird said the city's mobile speed-enforcement vehicles completed a warning period and then began issuing citations; so far the department recorded 43 deployments, 369 violations and 1,266 warnings. The red-light camera at 88th Avenue and Washington moved from a warning to citation phase this month and has produced 75 violations and 215 warnings to date. A second red-light camera installation experienced a delayed start to its warning period and is scheduled to begin issuing citations on Feb. 26.
Baird stressed the city is monitoring outcomes and will return with a Q2 recommendation on future deployments. He also presented a crash analysis for Colorado Boulevard showing 207 crashes in 2025, including one fatality at 120th and Colorado and several intersections that account for a disproportionate share of incidents.
Council members asked whether additional speed vehicles or increased patrols could address crash concentrations on Colorado Boulevard. City traffic engineer Matthew Koenig and the applicant traffic consultant noted that the city uses Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) trip-generation guidance and signal-warrant studies to guide long-term traffic responses; if warrants are met, the city will pursue signal installation through normal budgeting and design processes.
Chief Baird also described discussions with school districts about stop-arm enforcement technology; one district (27J) is moving toward a stop-arm enforcement contract and the police department said it will support school efforts as needed.
