Lynnwood, Monroe traffic cameras roll on

It has been awhile since we took a look at traffic-enforcement cameras in Snohomish County.

The devices still are cranking out tickets and controversy, but not much else has changed.

Media in Seattle this week were all agog over the discovery that the tickets can add up to serious cash for municipal budgets. Who knew?

Meanwhile, the reader who posts comments to HeraldNet as “Jacques Klahaya” recently raised questions about the status of Lynnwood’s camera contract.

When last we dove into that particular swamp, Lynnwood officials were fussing over how long they wanted to commit to the program. They claimed to be taking it slow, approving an extension that only took the city into November 2012. A victory, they said, would be getting a clause into the contract that would allow them to dump the cameras whenever they wished.

Jacques wondered whether the city has been operating without a camera contract.

Nope. Turns out that Lynnwood late last year extended the camera contract until November 2016.

That’s something we just tumbled to this week when we filed a public records request.

We’ll be doing more reporting in the coming days for details on how the decision was made. It looks like the new contract the city negotiated does include a bail-out clause. For now, though, smile when you drive through Lynnwood. The benevolent camera overlords still are watching – apparently all legal like.

Mukilteo’s Tim Eyman, meanwhile, continues to tee off on officials at the city of Monroe over that community’s camera program. This week, Eyman caused spam filters around the state to tremble with back-to-back-to-back email blitzes designed to draw attention to his Initiative 517.

He recently submitted signatures to bring a statewide vote on the measure, which says in part: “Government officials, both elected and unelected, must facilitate and cannot obstruct the processing of any initiative petition and must facilitate and cannot obstruct the public vote of any initiative.”

Eyman wrote Monroe’s mayor and others that the provision was a direct response to the city’s 2011 decision to go to court to block a binding vote on the camera program there.

“Isn’t it insulting that such a new law is needed?” he wrote. “Shouldn’t this be done without a new state law requiring it? Because of Monroe’s mayor and city council and their arrogance, it is clearly necessary. To this day, you defend your indefensible anti-voter-participation actions.”

Eyman also sent out an email from Monroe, in which the city acknowledges it has spent nearly $84,000 on lawyers defending its decision to resist the Eyman-supported camera initiative. That includes the cost of representing the city as it appeals a Snohomish County judge’s ruling that the lawsuit against the initiative was strategic litigation against public participation.

Irony: As a result of the camera controversy, Monroe voters have now twice had the opportunity make clear that they want the cameras gone. Double irony: Monroe’s elected officials say they’ve received the messages, loud and clear, and the cameras will be gone at the end of the year.

In Lynnwood? Who knows. Communication from City Hall is sporadic at best.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.