Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist addresses City Council (December 12, 2022)

The City of Jamestown is asking City Council for approval to do a school zone speed camera demonstration.

Mayor Eddie Sundquist said while the city still needs home rule approval from the State Legislature and the Governor to install the cameras to ticket those who speed in school zones, they have another option in the meantime, “TrafficPax has offered to put mobile sensing units in our school zones to get us data on how many cars are actually speeding in school zones. So, it would not be to ticket anyone. It would be to see the number of cars that are actually speeding in school zones. It’s not something we need to do but it’s something that (state) legislators have asked us.”

Sundquist said that data can also help the city determine if they want to move forward with the school zone speed camera program.

In order to do the demonstration, council would need to approve a contract with TrafficPax, LLC for the program. If the city decides to move ahead with the camera program, the service would provide for a $50 fine for anyone speeding ten m.p.h. over the speed limit in a school zone, of which the city will receive $32.

Assemblyman Andy Goodell and State Senator George Borrello are in support of the home rule needed for the program and have brought it forth to the legislature twice before, but it was not acted on in previous state legislative sessions. Sundquist said the representatives hope to get that legislation moved forward in January.

Jamestown City Council

Council previously authorized a Bus Stop Arm camera program, which allows the City to collect fees from violations of those who pass stopped school buses. The contract with BusPatrol would outfit the Jamestown Public Schools district’s fleet at no cost, with the City receiving a share of the fine money.

JPS also would have to pass the agreement with BusPatrol before cameras are installed.

Council also will review a resolution for a school zone speed camera demonstration program again. The program requires the approval of the New York State Legislature and the Governor. Assemblyman Andy Goodell and State Senator George Borrello are in support of the effort and have brought it forth to the legislature twice before, but it was not acted on in previous state legislative sessions.

Should the program receive authorization from the state, the city hopes to contract with TrafficPax, LLC for the program. The service would provide for a $50 fine for anyone speeding ten m.p.h. over the speed limit in a school zone, of which the city will receive $32 (64%). Previously, the city had a contract with Sensys Gatso, but after that agreement ended, the City reached out to TrafficPax, whose parent company has a long history with law enforcement cameras.

Council committee meetings will take place at 7:00 p.m. with the full work session at 7:30 p.m. in the fourth floor Police Training Room. The Housing Committee meeting will provide its update during the full work session. The meetings are open to the public with the full work session also being streamed online at jamestownny.gov