Brookside Elementary traffic cams to be monitoring speed 24/7 this June

The traffic cams near Brookside Elementary will be active 24/7 beginning June 2nd, 2024. Warnings will be issued for the first 30 days of operation, and citations will follow—lots of citations.

According to the required Traffic Camera Equity Impact Analysis:"there is a potential for a greater share of Hispanic and lower-income commuters to be disproportionately impacted by the speed safety camera placement and speed zone enforcement."

It further states: "It is the intent of the City of Lake Forest Park to reinvest revenues generated by the speed safety cameras in local street safety programs and improvements and ensure the equitable distribution of these economic benefits."

Seizing on House Bill 2384, LFP's city council recently passed Ordinance 23-1284 related to street racing and observing street racing. Even though street racing is considered reckless driving everywhere, it's likely the part that allows officers to cite (likely kids) congregating to watch as the main reason for designating no-race zones and posting signs. Citing "race watchers" seems exceptionally subjective. Couldn't someone claim to be protesting against street racing? 

Previously, sworn officers were required to review the camera footage before mailing infractions. Still, HB 2384 authorizes city employees to be approved by the police chief to review footage and authorize citations. The City of Seattle has lost millions in cam revenue due to insufficient officers reviewing the footage. Not anymore unless police unions thumbs down the matter.

Activating the speed cams 24/7 is interesting because since the cams have been installed, people tend to average about 18 MPH most of the time, especially since the city installed the flashing "Photo Enforced" sign that flashes 24/7 even though the traffic cams were only on when the round amber light was blinking. 

This has occasionally led to a more dangerous situation, with people passing the slow-moving drivers, probably because people feel entitled to at least go to the speed limit. According to the required Traffic Speed Safety Camera Equity Impact Analysis (attached below), the cameras trigger at 26MPH during school hours and will trigger at 31MPH at other times. 

Sign flashes even when traffic cams aren't on confusing drivers

Unsuspecting out-of-area drivers cutting through LFP will most likely get cited.  According to the required Traffic Camera Equity Impact Analysis:"there is a potential for a greater share of Hispanic and lower-income commuters to be disproportionately impacted by the SSC placement and speed zone enforcement." ticketed. But will this stop the underlying behavior or generate revenue? Time will tell. 

Before HB 2384, the city had to return 50% of the net revenue to the state. The revenue will stay with our city, but after three years, 25% of the net income will have to go to the "Cooper Jones" account. This enables communities across the state to apply for bicycle and pedestrian safety grants and safe routes to school grants. 

There's been discussion about placing speed cameras on Ballinger Way and Bothell Way. Still, the city needs to get state approval first, and, according to Mayor Tom French, as mentioned in a recent city council meeting, they haven't been very responsive.

Supporting docs

Related council meetings:

April 30th Special Meeting

April 11th Regular Meeting

December 14th Regular Business Meeting