Monday, March 11, 2013
In light of a recent ruling by a Baltimore County Circuit Court judge, the county's program must either be fundamentally restructured or eliminated as currently operated.
Since the fall of 2012, the use of cameras for the enforcement of jurisdictional speed limits on roads and highways has been closely scrutinized. In particular, the speed camera program operated by the City of Baltimore has been dogged by numerous issues including: Similar concerns have been raised regarding speed cameras used in Baltimore and Howard counties, as well as those used on interstate highways by the Maryland Department of Transportation. Even more fundamentally, the manner in which local jurisdictions have structured their speed camera programs—specifically the compensation scheme for outside contractors whose software and equipment carry out enforcement—raises difficult issues as to the real purpose of these programs. …
Monday, December 10, 2012
State delegate says he wants a program that protects people and instills public confidence.
A state delegate from Baltimore County says public confidence in speed cameras has deteriorated to the point that a state audit and possible reboot are needed. Del. Jon Cardin said Monday he plans to sponsor a bill calling for an audit of state and local speed camera tickets with an eye on rooting out bogus citations. "Maybe it's time to go back to the drawing board," Cardin said. The Baltimore County Democrat said he is in the process of drawing up a bill that would create an audit due to legislators by October 2013. Instances of bogus tickets issued to drivers would result in a $1,000 per incident penalty, though it is not clear if the jurisdiction or the speed camera vendor would be responsible for the fine, Cardin said. "I'm not trying…
Monday, November 5, 2012
The Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office originally requested a 10-year sentence for David Grayson French Jr., who has a history of alcohol related crimes.
Ten months after a woman was struck and killed while crossing Seven Courts Drive, the driver responsible has been sentenced. The Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office, however, expressed disappointment at Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Cox's ruling, handed down on Nov. 1. The requested 10-year prison sentence for David Grayson French Jr. was reduced to 18 months, followed by four years of supervised probation and 100 hours of community service, according to Michael Fuller, a Baltimore County assistant state's attorney. "I asked for 10 years because I felt the crime was horribly egregious," Fuller said. "The defendant had a prior alcohol related conviction and another alcohol related arrest a month prior. The facts in …
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
David Grayson French Jr. has pleaded guilty to striking and killing an elderly woman in Perry Hall.
A Perry Hall man could face up to 10 years in prison for striking and killing an elderly woman on Seven Courts Drive in January. David Grayson French Jr. pleaded guilty on Aug. 7 to failing to remain on the scene of an accident resulting in death, which is a felony, according to Michael Fuller, a Baltimore County assistant state's attorney. Fuller told Patch he is seeking a maximum sentence of 10 years. Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Cox is expected to announce the sentence on Nov. 1. The prosecution chose not to pursue two lesser charges, including a hit-and-run misdemeanor and traffic violation, which could have resulted in only five years of jail time and a fine, according to Fuller. "We're choosing to move forward with …
Saturday, September 8, 2012
The Perry Hall speed camera is one of at least five damaged in Baltimore County since 2010.
Police are investigating a vandalized speed camera on Seven Courts Drive in Perry Hall. Early Saturday morning, residents reported that black spray paint was covering the camera's lenses and a graffiti tag appeared on one side, according to Sgt. Bruce Aris, a Baltimore County police spokesman. At this time, investigators do not believe the incident is connected to a vandalized speed camera near Loch Raven High School, reported early Friday morning, Aris said. Community members largely supported the Seven Courts camera's installation in July. Speeding and reckless driving are widely regarded as serious problems along Seven Courts Drive. Ire over traffic conditions escalated after a 68-year-old woman was struck and killed while trying to …
Monday, August 6, 2012
Cameras at Southwest Academy, Loch Raven High, Stoneleigh Elementary, Patapsco High, and Owings Mills Elementary, will be activated August 8.
Baltimore County Police Monday said they will activate five new speed cameras on Wednesday. The cameras will be located at: County police first announced the locations on July 11. For the first 30 days, the cameras will issue warnings to drivers who exceed the posted speed limit by more than 12 mph. After that, violations carry a penalty of $40 with no points. This is the second batch of cameras to be added this summer following the County Council's vote to expand the program. Four other cameras were activate last month. The new devices bring the total of operation speed cameras in county school zones to 26. One additional camera is scheduled to be placed on Harford Road near St. Ursula School in Parkville pending approval from the State …
Friday, July 13, 2012
Speed cameras in four new locations are put into service after a technical glitch delayed planned start.
What a difference a day makes. Four new speed camera locations are now operational a day after police said a technical difficulty delayed the planned start, according to a statement from the Baltimore County Police Department. The following cameras are now in service: A fifth site located along Harford Road near St. Ursula School in Parkville will become operational after the county receives approval from the State Highway Administration. The devices issue $40 tickets to vehicles photographed exceeding the speed limit by more than 12 mph in a county school zone. The new cameras, once operational, will issue warnings for the first 30 days. Earlier this week, the police department also announced that it had selected five new locations for …
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Police say technical problems will delay the use of four new cameras.
The spirit is willing but sometimes the technology is weak. Four new speed cameras that were scheduled to become operational today have been delayed because of technical difficulties, according to Elise Armacost, a police spokeswoman. The camera locations include: ACS State and Local Solutions is working to resolve the unspecified problem, according to Armacost, who added that police will make an announcement when the issues have been resolved and the cameras are operational. The devices issue $40 tickets to vehicles photographed exceeding the speed limit by more than 12 mph in a county school zone. The new cameras, once operational, will issue warnings for the first 30 days.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Four other sites at Winands and Seven Oaks Elementary Schools and Loch Raven Academy and Bais Yaakov become operational on Thursday.
Baltimore County Police have selected five new school zone sites for speed cameras. The new cameras will be located at the following schools: When the new cameras are installed, there will be 27 operational in the county. The department also announced Wednesday that four other sites will become operational on July 12. A fifth camera slated for Harford Road near St. Ursula's School will become operational after receiving State Highway Administration approval, according to a department news release.
Friday, April 20, 2012
The camera was at the newest location at the intersection of Brook Road and Gary Drive on South Rolling Road.
The speed camera on South Rolling Road was destroyed after vandals set fire to the metal box early Friday morning, according to police. The act comes a week after the speed camera and cement pad were installed by the county at the intersection of Brook Road and Gary Drive on South Rolling Road. Officials had added the third site along South Rolling Road after many residents complained about excessive speeding along that stretch of the road. Police received a call at 1:40 a.m. for a fire along the 400 block of South Rolling Road, according to police spokeswoman Elise Armacost. When Engine 41 from Catonsville responded to the scene, firefighters saw that the metal box that holds the camera was on fire. Firefighters extinquished it and …
Brad
11:06 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
There are 14 more speed cameras to go into effect in Baltimore County. Personally I think these are just a revenue boosts for Baltimore County. I believe in safety, and safe school zone, most of these cameras are at schools zones. However most motorists know or should know where these cameras are located. I know these cameras run well passed school hours, and the excuse is " well if there is a … more ›