Residents have been asking about the new school speed cameras and Chief Heavey anticipates more questions will come during his “community conversation” with the LWV Greenwich on Thursday from 11:00am to 12:00pm. (Register here; Zoom only).
Last week, Greenwich Police public information officer Sabrina Diaz relayed information on enforcement from Traffic Technician, Sean Beattie.
In January there were 7,225 violations.
“Yes, people should stop speeding,” Beattie commented.
There is a civil fine of $50 for a first violation and $75 for each subsequent violation.
Asked about the share of the violations that goes to the vendor and how much to the police, Beattie said Blue Line Solutions is getting $17.50 for a $50 ticket (35%) and police get the remaining 65%.
Asked how will police department use their portion of the fines, Beattie explained, “We haven’t actually gotten any proceeds to date. The revenue generated is still being applied towards the implementation of the program and installation of the cameras.”
As for the success of the program, Beattie said, “It’s still too new to really dive into the longevity of speed reduction and effectiveness. I’ve only been able to run one comprehensive report so far. We should be able to get some good info after the first 6 months.”
On Tuesday, Chief Heavey was interviewed on WGCH, where he said the program was intent on providing greater safety to the community.
He estimated that with about 8 of the 9 cameras had resulted in about a 90% reduction of speeders, though in the area of North Street School, there is about a 38% reduction.
“There is a learning curve in that particular area,” he said, adding the times of enforcement have been published.*(see below).
“There is really no excuse to be speeding in a school zone. We did warnings for a month on each camera. We do have quite a few tickets, but the numbers are coming down and the word is getting out.”
Heavey said police will conduct follow up studies and cameras may be moved to other schools.
At Central Middle School where a new facility is under construction, he noted the traffic pattern will change and police may move the cameras to provide greater safety around that school.
He noted the fines were approved for a special fund by resolution from the BET and approved by the town traffic authority, which is the Board of Selectmen to improve traffic safety.
“We’re looking at engineering, enforcement and education. If there are things we can do to make it safer near these schools, that’s what those resources are going to be allocated for.”
Hours the ordinance is being enforced.
- Central Middle School – The camera at Indian Rock Lane enforces a 20 mph speed limit from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 2:15 to 4:15 p.m. The speed limit is at 25 mph from 8:31 a.m. to 4:14 p.m. The camera at Orchard Street will enforce a 20 mph limit from 7:30 to 8:30 and 2:15 to 4:15 and then 25 mph during the rest of the school day.
- Glenville School – The camera at Riversville Road enforces a 25 mph speed limit from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. and 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. The speed limit is 35 mph from 9:16 a.m. to 3:14 p.m.
- Parkway School – The camera at Lower Cross Road enforces a 20 mph speed limit from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. and 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. The speed limit is 30 mph from 9:16 a.m. to 3:14 p.m.
- North Street School – The camera at North Streer enforces a 25 mph speed limit from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. and 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. The speed limit is 35 mph from 9:16 a.m. to 3:14 p.m.
- Brunswick Lower School – From Monday through Thursday, the camera at King Street enforces a 25 mph speed limit from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m. and 2:45 to 4 p.m. The speed limit is 35 mph from 8:46 a.m. to 2:44 p.m. This changes on Fridays, as there is a 25 mph speed limit from 7:15 to 8:45 a.m. and noon to 3:15 p.m. There is a 35 mph speed limit between 8:46 a.m. and 11:59 a.m.
- Eagle Hill School – The camera at Glenville Road enforces a 20 mph speed limit from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. The speed limit is 30 mph from 8:31 a.m. to 2:44 p.m.
- Greenwich Academy – On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, the camera at North Maple Avenue enforces a 20 mph speed limit from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m. and 2 to 4:15 p.m. The speed limit is 30 mph from 8:16 a.m. to 1:59 p.m. This changes on Wednesday, as there is a 20 mph speed limit from 7:15 to 9:15 a.m. and 2 to 4:15 p.m. and 30 mph from 9:16 a.m. to 1:59 p.m.
- Greenwich High School – The cameras at Hillside Road and on East Putnam Avenue enforce a 25 mph speed limit from 7 to 8:15 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. The speed limit is at 30 mph from 8:16 a.m. to 1:59 p.m.