Say Cheese at Light: Middle Police Ponder Traffic Cameras

COURT HOUSE — Middle Township police want to make the roads safer by being able to see what’s going on at some local intersections.
According to Police Chief Chris Leusner, the department is in the process of researching the viability and potential benefits of taking part in a statewide pilot Intersection Safety Camera Program.
If the police department and township committee decide to proceed with the program, they would put it out to bid and select a vendor that would submit an application to the state Department of Transportation. If the DOT approves the permits, the vendor would install, operate and maintain the system.
The main purpose for the cameras is for a DOT pilot program to reduce motor vehicle crashes caused by drivers who run red lights. Leusner said similar programs have been successful across the country for years.
Leusner pointed to two of the township’s busiest intersections as targeted spots for the cameras — Routes 9 and 47, in Rio Grande, and Route 9 and Court House-Dennisville Road, in Court House.
Those two intersections are at commercial hubs of the township, he said.
“There is no upfront cost for the program to local taxpayers,” Leusner told the Herald. “The company would just take a percentage of the traffic fines issued for the equipment, operation and maintenance of the system.”
A side benefit would be increased revenue to the township’s Municipal Court. The penalty for running a red light is an $86 fine with no points, Leusner said in a letter to community groups.
In addition to traffic enforcement, intersections utilizing cameras would be available as a tool to investigate serious crimes in the surrounding area such as burglaries, theft and violent crimes.
Leusner noted that the police department has seen its numbers drop from 52 to 50 and now to 48 officers.
“With these reductions, we want to maintain the level of police services that citizens deserve,” he said.
Leusner is soliciting community feedback.
Those interested in submitting comments can do so on the Police Department website at www.middletownship.com at the tip-line/feedback link, on its Facebook page or by mail at Middle Township Police Department, 31 Mechanic St., Cape May Court House, NJ 08210.
Despite some concerns, Leusner said 90 percent of the comments have been positive thus far.
For those worried about traffic laws being enforced by “Big Brother” cameras in the sky, Leusner noted that New Jersey’s laws actually require that a sworn law enforcement officer review these tapes before a ticket is issued.
He also noted that the township could set its own parameters regarding what information is sent for review, so that motorists who are making safe driving decisions aren’t automatically issued tickets.
In the meantime, there will be six temporary cameras set up at the two previously mentioned intersections as well as Fifth Street and Route 47, Railroad Avenue and Route 47, Indian Trail Road and Route 9 and Shellbay Avenue and Route 9. These cameras will record traffic and accident information
He said the department will post additional information as it becomes available on its Facebook page and website.