Mike Kitsmiller, the chief of police for Marion, first put forth the idea for traffic cameras during a council work session in February. 21, saying the cameras would improve safety despite a police staffing shortage. On March 23, a local program was given the go-ahead after an ordinance cleared the way for it. A third consideration is required after it was unanimously approved Thursday night.
“Since this is second consideration, I will be voting yes for the sake of discussion moving forward, but that does not mean I’m a yes overall,” Earlier in the meeting on Thursday, Gage Miskimen was chosen to fill the vacancy in Ward 1 on the council. “Given that I know many people are interested in this issue, I would really like to hear from as many locals as possible.”
At 5:30 pm, there will be a City Council meeting. April 20; however, it is not yet known if the third consideration will be discussed at that meeting.
The proposed ordinance makes no mention of who the city would hire to supply and maintain the cameras, or of where the cameras would be placed. The proposal merely gives the city the option to install them.
Kitsmiller said in his initial briefing that he would recommend cameras be placed at the intersection of Highways 13 and 151, and the intersection of Highway 100 and East Post Road, and that other locations could be determined “based upon statistical analysis of historic traffic patterns and current infractions or violations.”
Andrew Sneed, a member of the public, spoke during the time for public comment regarding the proposal. He declared himself in favor and stated that he would request that a camera be installed along 29th Avenue, where he lives. A traffic camera, he said, might help put an end to the area’s out-of-control speeding.
“I think it makes excellent use of the available resources. I know that police officers are kind of hard to come by these days, and funding is also an issue as well, so it makes sense to have an automated traffic enforcement to assist,” Sneed said.
Kitsmiller stated on Thursday that Sneed’s worry is the ideal situation for a mobile traffic camera unit, which is also included in the ordinance.
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Source: thegazette
