Police update: portable radar units sought via grant; resident asks commission to consider reduced camera fines for hardship

Police staff told the commission they provided commissioners with DUI and crash lists and are seeking additional portable radar and speed‑data units through a recent grant application. If the grant is approved, staff said the city could receive three additional radar trailers, a fourth portable unit with a different purpose, and two newer 'stalker' units that upload data live and create graphs for staff review; the units would be used for data collection and neighborhood speed monitoring, not for automated ticketing.

A public commenter, Bridal Edinjuk, said they received a citation from a red‑light/speed camera on Villa Road/Highway 99 while driving to church and described current unemployment and financial difficulty. "I made an oopsie. I went a little bit over, the speed limit," the commenter said, and asked whether the city or the court process could provide an option for reduced fees in first‑offense or hardship situations.

Staff suggested the Traffic Safety Commission could recommend discussion to council if the public wants policy changes about reduced fines or a hardship review process. The police representative said staff expect a response on the grant application by mid‑August and that the new units would primarily be used to collect unobtrusive speed data to inform staff and residents about neighborhood conditions.

What’s next: staff will report back on the grant decision and commissioners may consider recommending policy changes if the public asks the commission to pursue reductions or fee‑relief options.