Weathersfield started using hand-held traffic cameras Monday

Staff report

WEATHERSFIELD

The Weathersfield Police Department started using its hand-held, officer-operated traffic cameras Monday and will continue most weekdays from 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. and some weekends.

The system begins with written warnings for two weeks through Dec. 21. After that, citations will be issued, according to the police department’s Facebook page.

With this system, the hand-held device operated by an officer takes a photograph of the car and its license plate if a speed violation is detected, according to a township news release in October.

After Dec. 21, violators will receive a citation imposing a civil fine of $100 ($150 in construction zones). No points will be placed on the operator’s driving record.

Signs will be posted on the highways entering the township to inform inbound traffic the township uses the devices. Citations are issued to vehicles exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour (6 mph in school zones). People who contest their citation will have a hearing before a hearing officer.

The project is being done through a contract with Lanham, Md.-based Optotraffic LLC.

Last month, Hubbard Township’s police department suspended use of its officer-operated traffic cameras after its trial period ended because of interpretations of Ohio law regarding noncommissioned officers operating the system and commissioned officers in townships of fewer than 50,000 people enforcing the system on interstates.

Capt. Kris Hodge of the Weathersfield Police Department said he doesn’t know why Hubbard Township stopped using its cameras, but Weathersfield police checked with legal counsel and was advised that the township can use them.

Youngstown has operated a hand-held traffic-camera enforcement system from Optotraffc since the summer.