HAGERSTOWN, MD - Traveling high speeds in school zones will cost you a $35 ticket in the mail, and it has for many driver since the cameras went live in mid-April.
They've generated more than $500,000 in revenue. Captain Mark Holtzman, Hagerstown Police Department, has requested an additional officer and vehicle.
"This position and the vehicle is completely funded by the speed enforcement program and it's just a way to add an officer downtown without costing general revenue or general tax dollars at all," says Captain Holtzman.
Maryland law requires these funds to be used towards public safety and pedestrian safety.
Right now officers are being paid over-time to process more than 200 citations each day because of the school zone cameras.
The city will spend $87,000 each year for a new officer's salary and benefits, and save about $5000. The vehicle is a one time cost of $40,000.
"The community's going to see an officer sitting downtown and wonder what he's doing," says Captain Holtzman. "He'll be approving those citations and managing the speed enforcement cameras not behind the desk, but out in public view helping to just calm our efforts downtown."
The Fire Department also wants to hire three new fire fighters with the extra funds.
Hagerstown Council Member Don Munson says, "We're limited to how we spend those particular dollars, and at this point we haven't discussed beyond paying for the things that you've mentioned."
The City Council will give final approval for a new officer and vehicle next week.
If all goes according to plan, Captain Holtzman expects the new officer to start patrol by the new year.
They've generated more than $500,000 in revenue. Captain Mark Holtzman, Hagerstown Police Department, has requested an additional officer and vehicle.
"This position and the vehicle is completely funded by the speed enforcement program and it's just a way to add an officer downtown without costing general revenue or general tax dollars at all," says Captain Holtzman.
Maryland law requires these funds to be used towards public safety and pedestrian safety.
Right now officers are being paid over-time to process more than 200 citations each day because of the school zone cameras.
The city will spend $87,000 each year for a new officer's salary and benefits, and save about $5000. The vehicle is a one time cost of $40,000.
"The community's going to see an officer sitting downtown and wonder what he's doing," says Captain Holtzman. "He'll be approving those citations and managing the speed enforcement cameras not behind the desk, but out in public view helping to just calm our efforts downtown."
The Fire Department also wants to hire three new fire fighters with the extra funds.
Hagerstown Council Member Don Munson says, "We're limited to how we spend those particular dollars, and at this point we haven't discussed beyond paying for the things that you've mentioned."
The City Council will give final approval for a new officer and vehicle next week.
If all goes according to plan, Captain Holtzman expects the new officer to start patrol by the new year.
Comments
It does not sound dumb because if you're familiar with the system (by having read this story thoroughly and related stories of how the system operates) you would understand that he is simply approving and managing the citations. An independent company handles the revenue-- they keep a certain percentage and send the remainder to the city. This independent company is NOT a police agency and does NOT have citation writing powers. Those powers rest in the hands of the local police. Without the officer approving the citation, the citations would not be legitimate.
brian b.
December 7, 2012 at 9:58 am
Am I reading this correctly...? The amount of revenue collected from the speed cameras... has allowed you to hire a new officer, whose job is just to process the revenue from those cameras?!?! Does this sound at all dumb to anyone else? Did I read this wrong?
russell b.
December 7, 2012 at 8:07 am
Am I reading this correctly...? The amount of revenue collected from the speed cameras... has allowed you to hire a new officer, whose job is just to process the revenue from those cameras?!?! Does this sound at all dumb to anyone else? Did I read this wrong?
russell b.
December 7, 2012 at 8:07 am
russell b.
December 7, 2012 at 8:05 am
