County Reinvests Camera Fines in New Speed Units
Council approved a program expansion using $379,388 in revenue and additional state funding.
By Yuki Kaminski ·
New Castle County Council voted 11-1 last week to expand its speed camera program. The measure allocates revenue from existing units toward installing new equipment.
Two cameras placed on McKennans Church Road and Milltown Road in April have generated $379,388 in fines. Council members plan to use this money to fund the expansion.
The legislation also directs $60,000 from the DelDOT Community Transportation Fund to the program. Police Chief Col. James Leonard stated that a traffic study on Old Capitol Trail found speeds similar to those on the existing camera sites.
Leonard noted that a student was struck near a school bus stop on Old Capitol Trail while the study was underway. He said the county must follow the findings of the speed study before installing a unit there.
Residents near Old Capitol Trail have lobbied for a camera at that location. The county also intends to place cameras on the opposite side of the road from the first two installations.
Councilman Kevin Caneco cast the sole dissenting vote. He expressed concern that the county is placing too many cameras of various types, including Axon and Flock units, without a clear analytical process for placement.
