Council members weigh in on speed light locations
Some members have sites in mind, but say they'll defer to police
By Bryan P. Sears, bsears@patuxent.com
Posted 10/07/09
Although officials have declared that accident statistics as well as geography will ultimately determine which school zones 15 speed cameras are placed, some County Council members have compiled a list of sites in their districts for consideration.
Three of the council’s seven members have made known to police school zones that their respective communities have identified as dangerous.
Councilman Sam Moxley, a Democrat who represents the 1st District, including Catonsville and Arbutus, sent Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson a list of eight possible sites in his district where speed cameras should be placed.
Fourth District Councilman Ken Oliver said he planned to send police a list of three sites in the Owings Mills, Reisterstown and Woodlawn sections of his district.
And council Chairman Joseph Bartenfelder, a 6th District Democrat, said he verbally conveyed to officials that there are two sites in his district of Essex, Fullerton and Parkville, where he would like to see speed cameras placed.
A new state law, which took effect Oct. 1, allows the county to install the devices and issue $40 tickets to drivers photographed exceeding the speed limit in school zones by 12 mph. Last month, the council approved up to 15 cameras for school zones around the county.
Chief Johnson and county officials met two weeks ago to discuss the list of sites developed by the police department. Johnson declined to name the sites but said all were in the top 30 percent of all school zones in terms of speed-related incidents.
Johnson had said prior that the final list of sites would be determined not only by statistical analysis but also geography — no one area would get an overwhelming majority of the devices.
Council members who made suggestions said they were prompted to do so after hearing complaints or concerns from constituents or parent-teacher organizations about particular school zones.
Officials “were looking for ideas,” said Moxley. “I didn’t want them to miss any possible areas.”
“I’d like to have all 15 in my district,” said Moxley, “but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
But council members said ultimately, the choices should be left to police and traffic officials.
“The police are supposed to be the public safety experts in this, and this is a public safety issue,” Bartenfelder said. “They’ve got to be free to do their jobs without feeling political pressure from me or anyone else.”
“It should be a police decision, not a political decision,” said Councilman Kevin Kamanetz, a Democrat who represents the 2nd District, which includes Owings Mills, Pikesville and Ruxton. “I’m going to defer to the statistical analysis the police will present to us.”
Steve Bailey, co-chairman of the county chapter of Americans for Prosperity, said last month that he was concerned politics would play a part in determining where the speed cameras are placed.
Americans for Prosperity describes itself as a group supporting free market ideals and smaller government. The group organized tax protest tea parties in the state and has come out against speed cameras, calling them a “tax grab.”
Bailey did not return a call seeking comment for this story.
Moxley said providing a list of priority sites is not the same as applying political pressure. In the end, the police will decide.
“They’re the experts,” Moxley said. “It’s not in our hands on purpose.”
Three of the council’s seven members have made known to police school zones that their respective communities have identified as dangerous.
Councilman Sam Moxley, a Democrat who represents the 1st District, including Catonsville and Arbutus, sent Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson a list of eight possible sites in his district where speed cameras should be placed.
Fourth District Councilman Ken Oliver said he planned to send police a list of three sites in the Owings Mills, Reisterstown and Woodlawn sections of his district.
And council Chairman Joseph Bartenfelder, a 6th District Democrat, said he verbally conveyed to officials that there are two sites in his district of Essex, Fullerton and Parkville, where he would like to see speed cameras placed.
A new state law, which took effect Oct. 1, allows the county to install the devices and issue $40 tickets to drivers photographed exceeding the speed limit in school zones by 12 mph. Last month, the council approved up to 15 cameras for school zones around the county.
Chief Johnson and county officials met two weeks ago to discuss the list of sites developed by the police department. Johnson declined to name the sites but said all were in the top 30 percent of all school zones in terms of speed-related incidents.
Johnson had said prior that the final list of sites would be determined not only by statistical analysis but also geography — no one area would get an overwhelming majority of the devices.
Council members who made suggestions said they were prompted to do so after hearing complaints or concerns from constituents or parent-teacher organizations about particular school zones.
Officials “were looking for ideas,” said Moxley. “I didn’t want them to miss any possible areas.”
“I’d like to have all 15 in my district,” said Moxley, “but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
But council members said ultimately, the choices should be left to police and traffic officials.
“The police are supposed to be the public safety experts in this, and this is a public safety issue,” Bartenfelder said. “They’ve got to be free to do their jobs without feeling political pressure from me or anyone else.”
“It should be a police decision, not a political decision,” said Councilman Kevin Kamanetz, a Democrat who represents the 2nd District, which includes Owings Mills, Pikesville and Ruxton. “I’m going to defer to the statistical analysis the police will present to us.”
Steve Bailey, co-chairman of the county chapter of Americans for Prosperity, said last month that he was concerned politics would play a part in determining where the speed cameras are placed.
Americans for Prosperity describes itself as a group supporting free market ideals and smaller government. The group organized tax protest tea parties in the state and has come out against speed cameras, calling them a “tax grab.”
Bailey did not return a call seeking comment for this story.
Moxley said providing a list of priority sites is not the same as applying political pressure. In the end, the police will decide.
“They’re the experts,” Moxley said. “It’s not in our hands on purpose.”
user comments (2)
user stevetowson says...
No accidents for months in this work area, and 3 rear end collisions on 695 at 83 in a span of 15 minutes today at about 12:45pm. speed cameras making us safe? Nope! Money grab at the expense of safety? You betcha! Thanks County Council!
Posted 2:47 PM, 10.08.09
user nlowman says...
don't worry ... Council Sam ( multiple DWI's) Moxley is on the case recommending locations for speed camera's ... I know I feel safer ...
Posted 1:03 PM, 10.11.09
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