YPD shows off new traffic cameras

July 24, 2015 at 7:30p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

City police are using a new tool to help cut down on speed: Cameras.

Only with these cameras, no one would want their picture taken.

The department is using radar guns that will take a picture of a vehicle’s license plate if the vehicle is speeding. Violators will receive a civil citation no later than two weeks after they are recorded.

The information will be downloaded and sent to Optotraffic of Lanham, Md., which will handle sending out the notices. Under the agreement with Optotraffic, the city gets 65 percent generated by the cameras. Penalties are $100 for those driving up to 13 mph over the speed limit, $125 for 14 to 19 mph over the limit, and $150 for those driving at least 20 mph over the limit,

The department began using the cameras last week and for a month drivers will receive warnings. Warnings will cease Aug. 15.

Friday, members of the traffic unit gave a demonstration of the cameras and went to two spots in the city where speeding is a problem: Interstate 680 south just before the Market Street exit and Cooper Street, where residents have been complaining about cars exiting Interstate 680 speeding for years.

Officer Brian Booksing was operating the camera on the interstate. Within five minutes, he had four cars clocked going above the 50 miles per hour speed limit.