One day after an attempt to force a state-wide speed camera law to the ballot failed, Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson said he expects to deploy some units in the county this fall -- if the County Council concurs.

Johnson held a news conference Monday on the grounds of Cromwell Valley Elementary, at the edge of Providence Road near the Beltway, to discuss the plan.

“This is not about big brother,” said Johnson. “This is not about fund-raising. It’s a very specific law we need to protect our adults and children.”

Earlier this year, the legislature passed a Senate bill authorizing the use of the cameras in school and construction zones around the state. The systems in school zones would be operative between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. weekdays only.

Speeders can be fined $40 if they exceed the posted speed limit by 12 miles or more.

Johnson said the department receives requests “on a weekly basis” for speed enforcement but could not immediately provide statistics on the numbers of speed-involved accidents in county school zones.

Opponents of speed cameras believe the law is another way for government to raise money. One group, Maryland for Responsible Enforcement, attempted to force the law onto the ballot in November 2010. That effort failed Sunday, the deadline for submitting 17,883 signatures of registered voters. The group collected about 16,000, according to a release.

The group would need about 38,000 more signatures by the end of June to successfully challenge the law.

Johnson said he hopes to cameras up and running soon after the law takes effect on Oct. 1
“It’s safe to say there will be dozens of these units,” Johnson said.

The police department will need the approval of the County Council before it can purchase and use the new technology. The council must hold a public hearing on the matter before the matter can be voted on.

Johnson said he favors purchasing mobile units that can be moved from location to location.

“It’s about slowing people down,” Johnson said. “Once your objective is achieved, there are other places you can move them.”

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