“And it’s not a small issue that we’re dealing with here,” Morris asserted, pointing out: “We’re talking about 2,275 people on one road in four hours in front of A.S. She continued to cite statistics brought forward at the two previous work session discussions of the program, observing that if watched: “You will know the statistics and numbers of the reckless, criminal drivers drastically decreases in the first six months of implementation of such a program … If you don’t want to pay a fine, don’t break the law,” she suggested to speed camera opponents. “I feel very confident in saying tonight that not a single one of us sitting on this dais saw this proposed exploration as a quote-unquote ‘cash cow’ or revenue-making experience,” Morris said of another criticism directed council’s way on the school zone speed camera installation project. That is why the town government has a stake in school zone public safety, she stated before taking the liberty of speaking, not only for herself but her council colleagues, on the matter. Morris noted that reports of driving offenses in school zones, all in the town limits she observed, go to a series of town officials, including council, the town manager, and FRPD, rather than to the County School Board. This speed camera initiative is viewed by council as that help. “One repeat offender often passing double lines on Stonewall Drive to pass everyone to rush to the kids offline, barely missing hitting people every single day, finally caused me to file a complaint with the (school) administration, to which they responded to me that it was a faculty member they had almost hit that day.” School administrators asked Morris if there was a way the Town could help with school zone enforcement while they were facing Sheriff’s Department SRO or other staff shortages. “When you’re pro-life, you have to be pro-life beyond conception and birth, throughout life,” she said, continuing to describe witnessing “chaos and recklessness” in multiple trips to drop off and pick up her own children at two schools (four trips a day) in the school year 2022-23. After describing watching a youth crossing an intersection in a group of youths on bicycles be struck “by an inattentive driver” several years ago and that incident’s impact on her emotionally - fortunately the youth survived, she noted - Morris wasn’t gentle in her assessment of the outcry against this Town public safety initiative. “We have received some public outcry over this topic,” Morris said on June 26 (beginning at 1:38:35 of the video). However, as Morris observed in making the motion to move the item from the Consent Agenda for routine business to the Business item category for extended discussion, that had not been the case, with a number of people reacting negatively with depictions of “Big Brother” governmental overreach to what was cited as “misinformation” on the logistics and intent of the program. I know there’s going to be people who don’t like it, but those people should think of the children’s safety,” Councilwoman Morris added on May 8, seeming to express the council consensus. Chief Magalis also noted that the town cut would “go specifically for traffic safety,” being committed to improved signage, crosswalk improvements, and other traffic safety tools. It was explained of the potential $100 fines that vendor Blue Line Solutions would take a $25 cut, with the remaining $75 going back to the Town’s contract representative FRPD. I think it’s a win/win,” the mayor observed of the requested enforcement path, adding, “Because the alternative is to hire more officers, which is going to create a much larger budget item, so I can’t imagine anybody being against this.” “There are no reports to DMV, the consequence is a $100 fine to slow down for the safety of the children. Blue Line Solutions is the provider which also deals with the civil process of collecting fines through civil court action.ĭuring the May work session discussion, Mayor Cockrell observed that it appeared that offenders car insurance rates would not be impacted. The cameras would be acquired “utilizing a Cooperative Contracting Procurement Agreement between Wythe County and Blue Line Solutions,” the staff agenda summary noted.
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