In his letter to the editor, Eric Thornton raised several questions about the city of Kent’s decision to implement school zone speed cameras. I would like to respond in turn.
First, there is no question that the city shares Mr. Thornton’s concern for the safety of all children no matter where they live, play or attend school. For him to suggest otherwise is irresponsible. The city is not showing special treatment to children who attend Sunrise and Neely O’Brien schools; instead, the city is aligning its new safety program with the findings in a traffic analysis. The analysis determined photo enforcement systems would have the most impact on safety at these two schools.
Kent Police will monitor the other school locations and cite violators who are caught speeding. Fact is, camera systems typically free up police for other patrol and traffic safety duties, including speed enforcement. This is an added benefit we expect to see emerge from the program.
The speed camera system is new to our city. To determine its effectiveness, we need to see how the program works, whether the expected improvement in safety is achieved, and how the program will affect existing city resources. Only then can decisions be made concerning whether expansion is preferred. In the meantime, it’s entirely possible that drivers who slow down at Sunrise and Neely O’Brien schools will repeat their behavior when passing other schools.
The State Supreme Court provides the next answer. According to the court, the placement of speed zone cameras is not a proper subject for a ballot measure. The Kent City Council has determined that this is a program that will benefit our residents. The city is implementing this program in a measured way to ensure that the city can provide a long-term response in a fiscally responsible manner.
Third, Kent’s program is not the same as Auburn’s red-light camera system. Kent’s program deals with traffic speeds in school speed zones. Children are at great risk in school zones where an additional 10 mph can mean the difference between life and death. Kent’s program is focused on enforcing school speed zones. It does not include red-light cameras at intersections.
Finally, citations issued pursuant to this program are sent to the vehicle’s registered owner. Information regarding this process is provided with the citation. In the event the registered owner is not the person who was driving the vehicle at the time of the speeding infraction, the registered owner can sign a statement under penalty of perjury indicating that he or she was not driving, and indicating who was in control of the vehicle. By signing this statement, the registered owner will be relieved of responsibility for the traffic law infraction, and the city will be free to file the infraction against the person driving the vehicle. Information regarding this process will be provided to the registered owner when the infraction is issued.
In closing, the city urges all drivers to be courteous to others motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, and to be especially cautious around schools. This speed camera program is part of the city’s top priority for traffic, which is making driving safer for everyone, especially children in school zones.
Ken Thomas is chief of the Kent Police Department. Reach him at 253-856-5800 or kthomas@ci.kent.us.
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