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Pasco looks to automated enforcement revenue to fund traffic‑safety program; fund holds roughly $750,000
Summary
Chief Brent Cook proposed a data‑driven traffic safety program funded by automated traffic camera (red‑light) revenue; the fund has about $750,000 and staff would first cover camera costs then assess sustainable enforcement investments.
Chief Brent Cook presented a proposal to use automated enforcement (red‑light/automated camera) revenue to support a dedicated traffic safety program focused on speed enforcement, DUI patrols and high‑visibility deployments in school zones and crash hotspots.
Cook described the program as complementary to patrol work: "This traffic safety program allows us additional opportunities to focus, exclusively on traffic safety using data driven deployments, high visibility enforcement, DUI patrols, and speed enforcement tools proven to reduce crash and dangerous driving." He said the city already has authority under state law and ordinance 43.92 to use automated enforcement revenue for roadway safety once camera program costs are covered.
Finance staff reported the automated enforcement fund began in 2021 and has accumulated roughly $707,150 in net funds since inception, and Chief Cook said the fund currently "is about $750,000 in it." Council members asked for an analysis of how many officers (or partial‑FTEs) could be supported by that fund and whether installing additional automated safety cameras (for example, near schools) would produce behavior changes that reduce crashes and, therefore, future revenue.
Next steps: staff will provide a financial plan that identifies sustainable deployments (for example, one or two dedicated traffic officers), oversight and performance metrics tied to crash reduction, and options for targeted equipment or camera installations.
