Traffic camera fines can be $250 in this Pierce County city. Here’s where they’re planned
The city of Milton is a step closer to having automated traffic safety cameras in town.
The Milton City Council voted 6-1 during the Nov. 6 council meeting to add a new chapter to its municipal code that would allow the city to use automated traffic safety cameras.
Council members Steve Whitaker, Steve Peretti, Tim Cedar, Dave Strader, Frances Hall and Bob Whalen voted to approve the new chapter. Council member Bruce White voted against it.
“I’m supportive of speed cameras in school zones but I’m going to vote against this because it allows red light cameras,” White said during the council meeting.
Hall said during the council meeting she is not a fan of red light cameras, but that she has seen “horrific accidents.” The reason why the city is considering automated traffic safety cameras is for safety purposes, she said.
“This is a tool,” Milton Police Chief Tony Hernandez said during the council meeting.
The City Council was supposed to approve or reject an agreement with NovoaGlobal, Inc., a safety equipment supplier, at the same council meeting. They unanimously voted to continue the discussion during a future council meeting instead.
State law allows cities to use automated traffic safety cameras in school speed zones, park speed zones and intersections of two or more arterials.
Under the new chapter of Milton’s code, an automated traffic safety camera would capture vehicles that run a red light or speed in a school zone. Drivers would get an infraction notice within two weeks of the violation. The fine may cost up to $250.
The city is considering nine automated traffic safety cameras – one near Milton Community Park, two near Discovery Primary School and Surprise Lake Middle School, three at 28th Avenue South and Milton Way, and three at Milton Way and Porter Way. The cameras would cost the city $435,000 per year.
Heidi Traverso of NovoaGlobal, Inc. said during the council meeting some police departments rely on automated traffic safety cameras because they do not have the manpower to patrol traffic all the time.
The News Tribune emailed and called Hernandez, Mayor Shanna Styron-Sherrell and Public Works Director Dustin Madden multiple times following the council meeting to get more information. The mayor and public works director were out of the office. The police chief did not respond.
Milton resident Jacki Strader said during the council meeting that the city should host an open house so the community has an opportunity to voice their thoughts and opinions before cameras are installed.
Another Milton resident, Kristi Ceder, said during the council meeting that police officers cannot monitor everything and that the fear of getting caught is an incentive to follow the law.
This story was originally published November 19, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
