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Council weighs costly traffic-camera systems; seeks pricing and outside funding
Summary
Council discussed installing traffic-signal cameras with license-plate readers at key intersections, citing estimated equipment costs of roughly $115,000 per location and potential installation up to $135,000; members asked staff to obtain firm quotes and explore county or district-attorney contributions before further action.
Forest Hills councilors on Sept. 3 discussed researching and potentially pursuing traffic-signal-mounted cameras with license-plate readers at several high-traffic intersections, but they did not authorize any purchase.
Chief Williams and councilors said the systems can help identify vehicles involved in hit-and-run collisions and other serious crimes and may reduce the borough’s costs when traffic-signal cabinets are damaged. Council members cited preliminary cost estimates of about $115,000 per location, with higher-end replacement costs of up to $135,000 for signal-control equipment if damaged by a collision.
Council discussed funding strategies including seeking contributions from the county and the district attorney’s office; a councilor said the DA's office had indicated willingness to contribute if the borough showed a matching allocation. Mr Abrams said he had requested baseline pricing for three candidate intersections so the borough could determine exact costs before deciding whether to proceed.
Councilors agreed to continue research and to await written pricing and potential external funding commitments before bringing any purchase to a future business meeting. No vote or funding commitment occurred tonight.
