Marion considering traffic cameras in response to police staffing shortage

[ad_1]

MARION — The city of Marion would join Cedar Rapids in deploying red light and speed traffic cameras under a pitch by the Marion police chief that got a welcome reception by the city council during a work session Tuesday.

Chief Mike Kitsmiller, who shared data about speeding and red light violations at some major intersections in the city, said traffic cameras would improve safety and help the department with its staffing shortage.

Multiple council members said they were initially opposed to the idea of traffic cameras, but were surprised by the data and would be interested in seeing a formal proposal.

“It’s pretty striking that we have a persistent, consistent ongoing safety issue that needs to be mitigated,” council member Grant Harper said.

Council member Steve Jensen said Marion has a reputation for being tough on speeding, and he wants to keep that reputation.

“The most common comments I get from citizens that talk to me is, ‘What can we do to slow down traffic?’” Jensen said.

Kitsmiller said that if traffic cameras are approved, they would likely be placed at the intersection of Highways 13 and 151, and the intersection of Highway 100 and East Post Road. Other camera locations would be determined “based upon statistical analysis of historic traffic patterns and current infractions or violations,” according to a memo distributed to the council.

The police department is also requesting a mobile speed unit that could be deployed across the city based on resident complaints.

Marion police borrowed a mobile traffic camera trailer from another city to gather data to present to the council. The camera monitored one lane of Highway 100 at the intersection with East Post Road from June 17 to June 24. It counted 184 vehicles that ran the red light, as well as 148 vehicles that were traveling more than 10 mph over the speed limit.

Between 2013 and 2022 there were 125 crashes at the intersection, 26 of which were caused by someone running a red light. One crash caused by running a red light was fatal, according to information Kitsmiller presented at the council meeting Tuesday.

The cameras, if approved, would monitor for red light violations and speeding. Kitsmiller said he’d also like to have cameras with license plate reader capabilities to help police locate stolen vehicles or vehicles associated with wanted or missing persons, and amber alerts.

Council will wait for formal proposal

Kitsmiller also included in his presentation data about the department’s staffing concerns and overtime accrual during the last year.

The Marion Police Department needs 48 officers to be considered fully staffed, Kitsmiller said. Currently, the department has 43 officers. Of those 43, two are still in the police academy and three are on limited duty for various reasons, Kitsmiller said.

During 2022, the department used overtime to meet the minimum staff requirement for 12 percent of patrol shifts.

“The purpose of traffic enforcement is to reduce accidents by deterring dangerous behaviors,” Kitsmiller said, adding that while those two intersections tend to have a lot of traffic infractions “we simply don’t have the resources to sit there 24 hours a day.”

Kitsmiller said he knows that some people are passionately opposed to traffic cameras, but he believes the pros outweigh the cons.

“It’s a tool to use. It’s effective and it’s an efficient way of doing things,” Kitsmiller said.

The council will meet in formal session Thursday, but traffic cameras are not on the agenda for action. Tom Daubs, public information officer for the police department, said in an email that Tuesday’s presentation was “merely a discussion item for the council to determine whether cameras is something they would like to consider pursuing or not, based on our staffing shortages.”

Because the discussion has not yet been finalized into a proposal, Daubs said it would be premature to comment on what the cost of the cameras and the schedule of implementation could look like.

Marion police made a similar request for traffic cameras in May 2021, and the city council voted to have staff draft an ordinance for use of cameras, but eventually rejected the proposal.

In his 2021 request, Kitsmiller named six problem intersections where cameras could be placed:

  • Highway 151 and Highway 13
  • Highway 151 and Linn Aire Avenue
  • Highway 151/10th Avenue and Eagleview Drive
  • Highway 100 and East Post Road
  • Highway 100 and Menards Lane
  • Seventh Avenue and 31st Street

Last summer, Cedar Rapids renewed its contract with Beverly, Mass.-based Sensys Gatso USA, to extend operation of its automated traffic cameras through 2027. The city uses 15 traffic cameras to enforce speed violations at four locations along Interstate 380 and to monitor red-light and speeding violations at five intersections in the city.

Multiple bills have been introduced this session in the Iowa Legislature regarding the use of traffic cameras in Iowa cities. A bill was introduced last week that would prohibit municipalities from placing or using automated traffic enforcement systems along state and county roads within the city’s boundaries, including state highways and interstates. Cities would be limited to placing cameras only on city streets.

Wednesday, the house will have its first hearing on a second bill, which would require cities to get permission from the Iowa Department of Transportation before installing traffic cameras on the primary road system, but would prevent the DOT from owning and operating any traffic cameras itself.

Comments: (319) 398-8328; [email protected]

[ad_2]

Source link

Leave a Comment