Politics & Government

City Council Debates Speed Cameras

Council voted to introduce a controversial traffic ordinance establishing school zones and authorizing traffic cameras

Traffic was a priority for the Hyattsville City Council Feb. 22, when they unanimously voted to introduce an ordinance which would establish school zones and authorize speed cameras.

If passed, the ordinance would also lift access restrictions on Queensbury Road to relieve the traffic burden on other city roads.

Complaining that inquiries have brought about answers “presented as though they are fact, when they’re opinion,” Hyattsville resident David Marshall voiced strong opposition to the ordinance passing, unless the City Council can produce proof that the cameras make students safer.

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“I’d like to see data that shows that these cameras, aside from making a lot of money will make students safe,” he said.

Police Chief Douglas Holland pointed out that the city would all revenue generated from the speed cameras up to 10 percent over Hyattsville's annual revenue. The rest would go back to the state.

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“So if administered properly this is not ultimately a money making proposition?” Councilman Marc Tartaro (Ward 1) asked Chief Holland.

“It’s 2 million bucks,” Marshall called out from the back of the room before the Chief could answer.

“It is not designed as a revenue generating program,” Chief Holland countered. Based on his understanding of other jurisdictions, he said, “If the program is successful, the funds generated gradually go down.”

Riverdale experienced declining revenues when it set up traffic cameras, according to Councilman David Hiles (Ward 2), but he said, “I think the point of this is not to create revenues but protect our neighborhoods.”

Councilman Carlos Lizanne (Ward 4) agreed, “This is not to provide some extra money to the city, this is to protect our children.”

“The cameras remind me of the speed bumps. They’re cheaper than a cop and they work. And you don’t have to pay retirement to the speed bumps.” Councilman Douglas Dudrow (Ward 1) said.

The cities rights to manage the cameras may also be at stake, according to Chief Holland, who warned that the county could conceivably set cameras up on county roads if the city failed to act.

If Hyattsville voted against having speed cameras, Councilman Timothy Hunt (Ward 3) asked Holland whether the county would then honor the city’s choice.

Holland told him it was unclear, “There’s no precedent because the former county executive chose to stop the program.”

He also suggested Council postpone choosing camera sites until they selected the camera vendor, which would be contractually required to produce traffic studies. “So however we go about this, whatever folks are involved in making the final decisions, again it will be based on data and not political whims.”

After officially introducing the traffic ordinance, the City Council unanimously passed a motion for a public hearing on it at 7 p.m., May 7, immediately preceding the Council’s next meeting.

Hunt asked Council to heed Marshall’s earlier request by holding a public hearing where citizens can not only speak up but also hear back, “We want to make sure that everybody has the opportunity to ask questions and get answers.”

This article has been corrected. An earlier version gave wrong information about how much money the city would keep from speed camera revenue. We regret the error.


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