Warren officials discuss placing cameras to cut traffic violations

By Jordan Cohen

Where to place the cameras is a sticking point.

WARREN — Several council members say they agree on the need for cameras to cut down speeding violations and possibly increase the city’s revenue, but no one is ready to commit to introducing the legislation.

A previous proposal last June, which would have placed mobile camera vans in school zones, was tabled. The proposal re-emerged in a meeting Monday chaired by Safety Committee Chairman Bob Dean, D-at large, and attended by four council members.

Police Chief John Mandopoulos, who favors the cameras, said other areas beside school zones deserve consideration.

“We’ve had six fatalities this year, and one of them involved a cycle going 102 mph in a residential neighborhood,” Mandopoulos said. “That’s where we get most of the complaints.”

Councilwoman Susan Hartman, D-7th, also questioned limiting the cameras to school zones, noting that there are no schools in her ward.

The chief said camera installation may help generate revenues that his department desperately needs, especially since 20 police officers are to be laid off in January.

Gregory Hicks, city law director, said he opposes cameras if their only purpose is to generate revenue, but he described the cameras as “a fantastic law-enforcement tool, particularly where we have low manpower.”

The city would pay nothing for use of the cameras. Revenue generated from speeding fines would be shared by the city and the company that provides the cameras.

No one was willing to estimate, however, how much the revenue might be.

“Akron got around $800,000 for their cameras in school zones, but we won’t get anywhere near that,” Dean said.

Police Capt. Tim Bowers said, however, that the cameras would enable patrolmen to do higher priority police work instead of handing out speeding tickets. Bowers said his department issues nearly 6,000 tickets a year.

“We have an opportunity to get that officer out [of writing tickets] and get the AK-47 [military assault rifle] off the street,” Bowers said. “Speed cameras save lives and maybe save jobs at the same time.”

Dean said when the previous ordinance was before council, several representatives of the business community complained that the cameras would hurt their business because fewer customers would be willing to drive on streets where the cameras are positioned.

The committee chairman admitted the proposal was tabled because there weren’t enough votes to pass it.

Dean, however, was not able to say after the meeting when or if any camera legislation will be introduced before council. He said he planned to discuss it further with other council members to determine if there is any interest.

“I have no intention of introducing this legislation as its sponsor,” Dean added.