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Middletown reviews speed‑camera program and plans ordinance cleanup to clarify appeals
Summary
Commissioners heard that 75 speed citations have been issued, roughly $470,000 in fines were sent and only the Washington Street camera is active; the chief said the department will revise ordinance language to clarify owner/operator responsibility and preserve online and in‑person appeals heard by a two‑member civilian panel.
The Middletown Police Commission discussed the city’s automated speed‑camera program at its Sept. 15 meeting and a planned ordinance cleanup to clarify who is responsible for citations and how residents may appeal.
The chief told the commission that 75 citations have been issued under the program and that approximately $470,000 in fines had been sent out; he said 557 fines and fees had been paid to date. "Our numbers were 75 citations issued, 470,000 in fines were sent out, and 557 fines and fees total paid," the chief said. He added that only the Washington Street camera is currently activated while cameras on Westfield and Country Club Road await activation.
The chief described a forthcoming ordinance language cleanup that would clarify whether an owner or an operator is responsible for a citation and simplify the online contest process for residents. He said if a person is unsatisfied with an online outcome an in‑person contest can be scheduled. "So that's online, but a lot of times if they're not happy with that outcome, they can set up an in person...contestment," he said, noting that appeals are heard by two civilians who "can't be police officers."
During follow‑up, the Chair asked about collection rates; the chief said the program was "trending pretty high, over 75%" in collections, compared with earlier collection rates in the sixties. The exchange underscored the department’s intent to both increase compliance and ensure a clear appeal path separate from police adjudicators.
No ordinance vote or formal policy action was taken at the meeting; the chief characterized the cleanup as a drafting task to clarify responsibilities and improve access to appeals.
