Frederick Mayor predicts speed camera talks coming

Frederick Mayor Jeff Holtzinger said speed cameras could become an item on the agenda during the last few months of his administration.

State legislation now allows local jurisdictions to consider implementing the devices in school and highway work zones.

"My guess is the board probably will want to do that, at least in school zones," Holtzinger said.

He said he didn't yet have a specific date when the issue would be discussed.

Frederick Police Chief Kim Dine said his staff has been preparing for the issue. He sent staff members Wednesday to Montgomery County to meet with police officials about successfully implementing a speed camera program.

Montgomery County is the only jurisdiction in the state where speed cameras operate.

"You can hardly go to a community meeting in Frederick ... and people aren't complaining about traffic issues or speeding issues," Dine said.

Dine said his staff is studying the legislation and determining how cameras would be used in Frederick , but have not yet decided on specifics such as locations or cost.

"I think we hope it's similar to the red-light photo enforcement, essentially they would pay for themselves," he said.

Before the session, the Board of Aldermen agreed to support the speed camera legislation as a priority for municipalities.

Alderman Paul Smith said he is in favor of speed cameras in Frederick , but not as a revenue generator.

"I'm very upset with what I've seen Montgomery County do. It's a total abuse," he said. "They've put them on main roads where it has no impact on safety."

The enabling legislation passed in the most recent General Assembly session allows the cameras to be placed within half a mile of school and work zones.

At the beginning of June a group failed to collect enough signatures for a referendum that could have potentially overturned the law.

The program would impose $40 fines on people who drive at least 12 mph over the posted speed limit.

The legislation allows counties and cities to start installing cameras Oct. 1. Once cameras are in place, the local jurisdictions will have a 30-day period where only warnings will be issued.

A majority of Frederick County's legislative delegation was against the speed cameras. Delegates Sue Hecht and Galen Clagett, both Democrats whose district includes the City of Frederick , voted for it.

Sen. Alex Mooney, a Republican who represents Frederick and Washington counties, so vehemently opposed the legislation he tried to stage a filibuster but was unsuccessful.

"If they're going to do it, I hope that they can prove it's for public safety and not for another revenue source," he said.

Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak said she views the cameras as an enforcement tool, not a way for the city to earn quick revenue.

"There's this piece of me that watches crime run rampant, and I think any tool the city can use to curb crime, they should use it," she said.

Copyright 2009 The Frederick News-Post. All rights reserved.