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Police chiefs: Speed cameras help promote safety, provide revenue

While keeping an eye on motorists with traffic cameras, some police departments in Trumbull County are earning income while promoting safety.

Vienna recently became the latest community to approve the use of speed cameras through Blue Line Solutions. Liberty and Girard police departments use mobile cameras through Blue Line, which takes a percentage of the income earned from the speed camera citations.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP

Liberty Chief Toby Meloro and Capt. Ray Buhala said cameras are required by law to be manned.

“They’re (road officers) able to monitor erratic driving because they actually see the cars, and they can radio over so we can have someone chase and do a physical stop,” Meloro said,

According to Meloro, Liberty has had one manned speed camera since 2016. Meloro said the officers pull over those who drive at excessive speeds rather than using the speed cameras.

Meloro said the officers with the speed cameras travel often, appearing in areas where speeding is prevalent such as state Route 11.

He said although the income generated is several hundred thousand dollars, this can vary year to year. However, taxpayers remain the department’s largest source of revenue.

Half of the revenue from the speed cameras go to the police fund and the other 50% goes to the general fund after Blue Line Solutions takes out 50% of what was earned. Money in the general fund is used for building repairs and maintenance, parks and recreation and road repairs. Money in the police fund is used for employee expenses, building maintenance and repairs, cruiser repairs and maintenance, and purchasing of cruisers.

“We live in tough times. We can’t continually go back to the public and ask for money,” Meloro said. “It’s not that we’re out there trying to harass people — I truly believe it saves lives. Speed kills. (It gives us the opportunity) to do a lot for the community without going back to the taxpayers.”

He said a study the department performed last year proved that speeds decreased by 50% in areas where the traffic camera was used.

GIRARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

Since 2016, Girard police officers have managed two cameras, according to police Chief John Norman.

“I like them manned,” he said. “It puts an extra guy on the road in case something big happens. It shows officers are out there.”

He said Girard also has seen increased traffic safety with the cameras.

“The big benefit for us has been the reduction of accidents, especially on (U.S. Route) 422, which had a lot of accidents since I’ve been here,” Norman said. “I’ve been here for 40 years. I remember a time we had over 300 accidents. Last year, we had 166.”

Norman said the cameras also have helped them in terms of income. The cameras generate $1 million annually for the city’s coffers.

Although the cameras generate revenue, they aren’t the department’s largest source of income since the money is dispersed throughout the township. Forty percent of the income is taken out by Blue Line Solutions and what’s left is divided into various township funds — 46% to the township’s general fund, 25% into the street fund, 20% into the safety fund, 5% into the capital improvement fund, 3% into the Wellman Theatre fund and 1% into the recreation fund.

“For us, there really isn’t a downside,” he said. “We try to be fair with everybody and use them (cameras) appropriately. I’m sure some people would say the criticism from using them would be a downside but obviously we’re doing whatever we can to help the city.”

Norman said the cameras move with the officers operating them and are often stationed where the traffic is the heaviest, such as U.S. Route 422.

Have an interesting story? Contact Hailey Rogenski by email at hrogenski@tribtoday.com. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @TribToday.

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