Smithtown Matters - Online Local News about Smithtown, Kings Park, St James, Nesconset, Commack, Hauppauge, Ft. Salonga

No speed cameras for Suffolk County. The worst best-kept-secret may be that Suffolk County will not be getting speed cameras. Apparently, the debacle in Nassau County has Suffolk County’s elected officials rethinking its speed cameras for safety plan. Speed cameras were scheduled to be installed and become operational in 2015. It is expected that County Executive Bellone will be announcing later today* that he is scrapping the extremely controversial speed camera plan. The camera program was seen by many as a revenue generator that had nothing to do with safety at schools. Nassau County has generated over $12 million (fines and administrative fees) in revenue in the three months their program has been operational.

In April of 2014 the Suffolk County Legislature voted 14-3 with Legislator Browning abstaining in favor of a speed camera program for school zones throughout Suffolk County. The proposal would sanction those caught on camera driving ten miles over a school zone speed limit.

There are sixty-nine school districts in Suffolk County and a portable camera was to be assigned to each school district. The cameras were to be operational one half-hour before, during and after school events.The cameras were to be rotated at various schools throughout each district.

Legislators Trotta (13th LD.), Kennedy (12th LD) and Cilmi (10th LD) opposed the speed camera proposal in April and have scheduled a press conference for Tuesday morning. Legislator Trotta issued the following statement to Smithtown Matters:

“As I have said from the start and when I voted against this legislation, speed zone cameras are nothing more than a money grab. When the County Executive gets caught with his hands in the taxpayer’s pocket, there is little choice but to pull the plug. This is no different from the overwhelmingly majority of red light tickets, which is simply taxation by citation,” said Suffolk Legislator Robert Trotta.

* County Executive Bellone at a 2pm press conference announced his decision to scrap the speed camera program. His statement is attached.

Update on Monday, December 8, 2014 at 4:08PM by

“Today I announced my decision that Suffolk County will not implement speed cameras. This comes after a year of research and analysis of programs throughout the nation.

We will be working with our legislative partners led by Legislator Sarah Anker, the Suffolk County Department of Public Works, the Suffolk County Police Departmentand teachers and parents groups to find better ways to improve school safety.” — with Jay Schneiderman,Legislator Thomas Muratore, Legislator Thomas Barraga, Legislator Kate Browning, Legislator Al Krupski, Legislator Steve Stern, Suffolk County Legislator Bill Lindsay III and Sarah Anker for County Legislator.