Submitted by Mark J Lewis, Greenwich
The recent RTM vote on Greenwich’s speed camera program has certainly generated strong viewpoints and conclusions. As Jonathan Redmond’s recent letter to the editor (Redmond: A Tale of Two Towns June 23, 2026 ) of this publication noted, there was a flurry of emails to the RTM’s “All 230 RTM member” email channel on the Town’s RTM website regarding the speed camera program.
And as Mr. Redmond correctly pointed out, the majority of those approximately 240 emails (which is a small representation of the approximately 39,000 active, registered voters in Greenwich) were against reinstatement of the speed camera program. Where Mr. Redmond’s letter erred, however, was in inferring that those emails represented the will of the majority of Greenwich residents.
Rather than illustrating the number of Greenwich residents who are against speed cameras, Mr. Redmond’s data shows the number of Greenwich residents who emailed the RTM on this topic and are against speed cameras. These are two very different things. As we have seen with other controversial topics, such as the gas-powered leaf blower ban, a particular viewpoint can draw a disproportionate response in the RTM email channel.
As an RTM member representing D11, I take seriously my responsibility to speak with D11 and broader town residents and to listen to their concerns. I spoke with many neighbors and D11 residents who are wholeheartedly in favor of the Town’s speed camera program, and who would, in fact, support expanding it. While these residents did not write to the RTM, I can assure Mr. Redmond and other neighbors that there are many, many people in Greenwich who fully support the efforts of Chief Heavey and the GPD to reduce dangerous speeding in town through this program.
Lastly, I do agree with many of the email contributors who pointed out that this process was seriously flawed and that the program should have been implemented with proper public input from the start, rather than after the fact. I am encouraged that changes are being made, and I hope that, as the speed camera program is reinstated, Chief Heavey and First Selectman Camillo listen closely to the legitimate concerns raised by residents.
Mark J. Lewis
Member, RTM D11
Alternate Member, RTM Budget Overview Committee
RTM Liaison, Energy Management Advisory Committee