Incorporating more expense, less security with Baltimore speed camcorders

In Baltimore, MD, city lawmakers are considering incorporating more speed camcorders. Baltimore is hoping to lower the number of speeders by adding more speed cameras. Even if the city does add more tickets, these cameras are not earning money for the city.

Speed camcorders installed in Maryland

There were speed traps put up in "high risk" areas like school zones in Baltimore, Md. The tickets issued by these speeding cameras are typically about $40 and are officially issued by the city of Baltimore. Speeding has gone down a ton because of these camcorders. Law enforcement has noticed there has not been a change in collisions though.

Details about the Baltimore speed camcorders

It has been many months of the speed cameras in Baltimore issuing tickets. The money from the tickets is not really being seen by the City of Baltimore though. Having the speed cameras is more like payday loans for the city. Sure, the city gets money, but it also has to pay out much of the money received. The camcorders that track and record speeders are owned, monitored and operated by a private business, and $32 of every $40 ticket is paid to the private contractor. Money has been lost by the city so far in the deal as the installation of cameras has to be paid for. Right now, the city is taking a loss off of the camcorders. Still, a short term personal loan for more is on the table.

Turning law enforcement work over to private companies

The work is being given to private corporations in more cities than just Baltimore. Legally, these traffic enforcement camcorders are facing difficult times. The right to face an accuser for a defendant has been cited several times. Tickets have been overturned as the camera or automatic system has given the tickets. In general, the truth that most people don’t fight their traffic tickets means that private businesses are making millions of dollars by doing a city’s police work for them.

Citations

ABC 2 News

abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_county/baltimore-county-looks-to-add-speed-cameras

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_enforcement_camera