Speed-gun effort nets $96K for Youngstown in just 2 months

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Police Department’s speed-camera program has added close to $100,000 to the city’s general fund in the past two months with additional revenue still to come.

As of today, 1,184 motorists cited for speeding by police officers have paid the fee, said Lt. William Ross, head of the city police department’s traffic unit, which operates the speed-gun program.

Ross said to use $125 per citation – the amount ranges from $100 to $150, depending on the speed – to estimate how much money has been paid.

Using that amount, $148,000 has come in from those cited for speeding with the city keeping 65 percent, or $96,200. The rest, $51,800, went to Optotraffic, the Latham, Md., company, that provided the speed guns and is processing and mailing the citations.

Using radar guns with cameras to catch speeders, the police department has cited 3,334 people since the start of enforcement Aug. 18, including 275 between Oct. 17 and today. Police also issued warnings to 158 motorists between July 15 and Aug. 17.

Most of those cited have received letters to pay the fees, Ross said, so there are about 2,000 motorists cited by the police who will either pay or file an appeal.

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com