Based on state law, it's up to each municipality, or the Board of County Commissioners, to approve a speed camera ordinance if desired. Sykesville Police Chief John Williams said other police chiefs in Carroll have contacted him with interest about cameras, saying they are waiting to see how Sykesville reacts.

But in a July 2009 interview with The Eagle, Commissioners Julia Gouge and Dean Minnich said they support the use of speed cameras, but did not plan to pursue enabling legislation.

Maj. Phil Kasten said the Sheriff's Office supports the use of speed cameras as well — but will not approach the commissioners with legislation.

The same goes for Westminster. City Police Chief Jeffrey Spaulding said he supports the use of cameras, but it's up to the common council — not the police department -- to pursue an ordinance.

"I don't foresee (speed cameras) happening," he said. He also said that he has not had any internal discussions with Westminster Mayor Kevin Utz or the Common Council about speed cameras.

And Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker has said in the past he is opposed to speed cameras because they are "specifically done to generate revenue, and nothing more."

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user comments (1)

user casualobserver says...

"...because they are 'specifically done to generate revenue, and nothing more." Nice try but simply not true. Sykesville's Town Council has recently voted for enabling legislation for speed cameras because...well...they DO affect behavior of speeders and they will not cost (law abiding) residents a dime. Sykesville's neighborhoods have had a speeding problem for years and there's never enough budget $$ to keep any officers dedicated to radar duty. Speed bumps don't work (except to foil snowplows). Determined fast drivers quickly learn how to speed right over the bumps without much slowing down. The only people who should be worried about the deployment of speed cameras are the speeders themselves.

Posted 10:12 PM, 03.07.10

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