At Thursday’s Selectmen meeting, Greenwich Police Sergeant JD Smith provided an update on the school zone speed cameras situation.
Greenwich’s school zone speed camera program was suspended temporarily, effective April 2, following resident complaints and an internal review that found the approval process was incomplete.
Speed camera signage on Hillside Rd at the intersection of East Putnam Ave. Photo: Leslie Yager April 1, 2026
Speed Camera signage in the area of Central Middle School. Photo: Leslie Yager
First Selectman Fred Camillo announced he halted the program to ensure compliance, specifically requiring a public hearing.
The hearing is now scheduled for May 14, 2026 at 7:00pm in the town hall meeting room.
Sergeant Smith said the implementation of the camera program stemmed from complaints about speeding on Orchard and Stanwich during meetings about the new Central Middle School.
He said 64% of child pedestrian fatalities occur during weekday hours between 6:00am and 6:00pm – school hours – and that the top complaints to Greenwich Police are about speeding and distracted driving.
“What that does is reduce reaction times for drivers to react to a hazard on the road and increase their breaking distances to react to those hazards,” Sgt Smith said. “By decreasing the speeds, we’re increasing the safety for everybody walking around, biking, cycling, whatever. Even illegal jaywalkers who decide not to cross at crosswalks – they jump out into the road – that motorist has a little extra time to slow down and deal with that hazard.”
Smith said the town speed camera program was approved by the State Dept of Transportation on July 7, 2025.
“The program is not intended to replace police officers. It’s a force multiplier,” he explained. “Obviously there are only so many of us on the road. It is a more efficient way to identify violators.”
He said an officer and the vendor, Blue Line Solutions, review each violation to make sure the license is clear and legible. After review, the violation is sent by Blue Line via first class mail to the violator for their response or contest.
Over the course of the program the DOT and Town of Greenwich received both complaints and positive responses to the program. The Dept of Transportation provided suggestions based on civilian input including such issues as line of sight, typos in the plan, and branches blocking signs.
“Nothing that couldn’t be remedied in a quick and efficient manner,” he said, adding adjustments in signage are in the works.
Smith said since the program was suspended no tickets have been issued and the cameras are currently off, but the town ordinance that was approved by the Selectmen and remains valid.
Smith said one major issue was the 10 day window of time for violators to contest violations.
He said the vendor is open to expanding that window to 30 days, but asked that the ordinance also be changed to reflect 30 days for consistency.
“We are still waiting a reply from the DOT regarding additional time placards on signage saying when the times of enforcement are – waiting to see if that is DOT compliant,” he said.
As for complaints that the signage isn’t brighter or illuminated, he said there are strict standards for signage to comply with federal and state regulations.
Smith said recently the police arrested a driver for driving 80mph in a 30mph zone. The driver was charged with Reckless Driving, and Reckless Endangerment.
Also, he said, frequently when police review violations on speed cameras, they see incidents of people driving for example 53mph in a 30mph zone past Eagle Hill, or 56mph in the area of CMS and Stanwich Road.
“Since the implementation of the program we have noticed a reduction in speed and number of violators being processed,” he noted.
“We’re out there issuing infractions to those seen violating the law, but it appears they are working,” Smith said, adding that police have been deluged with feedback, both positive and negative.
Signage indicating hours of operation are in the works and the Town is working with Blue Line Solutions to widen the window of time to appeal a violation from 10 days to 30 days.
First Selectman Fred Camillo said he is hearing from other towns including some implementing cameras that are active 24/7.
“Speeding has come down. That’s the point,” Camillo said.
Rachel Khanna said noted a DPW report indicates 5% of all crashes with injuries involve speeding and 60% of all fatal crashes involve speeding.
Lauren Rabin suggested beefing up the speed camera FAQs to better educate residents.
“Folks are expecting a refund for the tickets that they did receive during this time period,” Rabin said.
“We’ve told people don’t email us about that right now because that’s not been decided. We’re still have to speak with Blue Line and we’re speaking with our attorneys. You’re wasting your time,” Camillo said. “Hold off on that because we don’t know yet. Certainly that is one of the questions.”