Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oakland public safety clarifies school speed-camera program, cites 90% drop in unlawful speed
Summary
A public-safety official explained how school speed cameras are programmed, how citations are reviewed and the role of signage and flashing lights; the official reported a reduction of over 90% in unlawful speeds at the monitored location.
A public-safety official briefed the commission on how the town's school-speed-camera program operates and how citations are processed. The official explained that camera enforcement is tied to posted school hours and signage; as described in the meeting, cameras are active during posted times (an example given in the transcript was 07:30–08:30 at 20 mph and 08:30–14:30 at 35 mph on regular school days). The official said the vendor reviews video and event timing first, then sends potential citations to the town, where an in-house officer conducts a second review before a citation is issued.
The official emphasized that flashing lights on poles are a courtesy and not required by the statute; corrected signage is essential because earlier ticket dismissals occurred where signs were incorrect. The speaker said corrected signage is now in place and that the program has resulted in a reported reduction "of over 90% of unlawful speed" coming through the monitored area.
The official also described extra programming for half days (for example, an 11:30–12:30 window) and said citations are processed only for violations that occurred during the programmed times. When asked about historical ticket counts the official said the numbers were "very small" and would require looking back through records for exact figures.
The commission heard that the program includes daily visual verification of flashing-light operation by the SRO and a two-step approval process before citations are mailed.
