EVERETT — A Snohomish County councilman and a spokesman for county executive Aaron Reardon announced last week that in 2010 the county would install cameras in some locations to catch drivers when they run red lights.
Not so fast, say some Snohomish County Council members.
The cameras would have to be approved by a majority of the five-member council. The council has yet to vote on using the cameras. In fact, as of now, a majority of councilmen say they may not support it.
“I’m pretty much not pleased to see something being put forward as being a done deal when the council as the responsible body hasn’t even discussed it,” Councilman Dave Somers said Tuesday.
Christopher Schwarzen, spokesman for Reardon, said Friday in a written statement that “the county will begin using traffic-safety cameras for photo enforcement at certain intersections and selected school zones.”
The statement went on to say that the cameras “are supported by Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, Sheriff John Lovick and the County Council.”
Schwarzen said Tuesday that he knows that “any contract has to be approved by the County Council and signed by the executive.”
The idea, he said, “is to bring back a proposal and with that operator look at a number of intersections and look at a number of school zones and see if we can improve the safety there.”
Snohomish County Council chairman Mike Cooper gave no indication of any opposition from other councilmen when originally talking about the proposal.
Cooper said the idea stemmed from a visit he and Lovick made to Hazelwood Elementary School near Lynnwood, where traffic safety for students has been an issue. Cooper could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Councilman Dave Gossett said a committee of the County Council discussed the idea recently and agreed to request proposals from camera providers and decide from there.
“I think that would make a lot of sense so we actually know what it is that we’re being asked to approve,” Gossett said.
Councilman Brian Sullivan said usually the county only puts out requests for proposals if it’s already approved spending the money.
The county public works department put out a request for proposals on Monday, Schwarzen said.
“It seems pretty backwards to me,” Sullivan said. “I don’t think the votes are there to make this thing fly.”
He said he’s concerned about privacy issues.
“I have a personal disdain for them because of the ‘Big Brother’ thing,” he said.
Using cameras to issue tickets for traffic violations has faced legal challenges around the country, Somers noted. He said he’d like to get a briefing from county prosecuting attorney Mark Roe on privacy issues. Somers said he also wants to feel certain the cameras won’t lose money and will reduce accidents, he said.
Councilman John Koster said he, too, would like to learn more about the legal implications of traffic cameras before going ahead with them.
Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439; sheets@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
