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Colmar Manor council adopts ordinance authorizing stop‑sign monitoring systems
Summary
The Colmar Manor Town Council voted to amend its traffic enforcement code to allow stop‑sign monitoring systems and related fines. The ordinance was introduced by town staff and approved by voice/roll‑call vote; details about deployment were left for later implementation steps.
Colmar Manor’s council voted to add automated stop‑sign monitoring systems to the town’s existing red‑light and speed‑camera enforcement code, a change town staff said will allow the municipality to deploy camera‑based monitoring and related citation processes.
Town administrator Greg (speaker 11) introduced Ordinance O‑010125, explaining the amendment would allow the town to authorize monitoring hardware and specify fines and processing steps similar to existing red‑light and speed‑camera programs. He told council members that Prince George’s County is the only county in the state currently authorized to operate stop‑sign enforcement technology but that the ordinance would place the town’s code in line with county practice so the town could use certified systems if it later chooses to do so.
Council members discussed technical and procedural safeguards: a police officer must review footage before a citation is issued, and staff noted the ordinance does not force immediate deployment—it grants the authority to do so if the town later votes to activate specific devices. After discussion, a council member moved and the council voted in favor (ayes recorded by wards); the ordinance passed.
Why it matters: support for automated monitoring was framed as a public‑safety measure—staff cited pilot data indicating high noncompliance at tested intersections—and the ordinance creates the legal authority the town will need before entering any vendor contract or ticketing program.
Next steps: staff said the ordinance still requires administrative steps and vendor negotiations before any camera begins issuing citations. Council members later asked for detailed cost and vendor contract terms before approving any deployment of devices that would issue fines.
