Salisbury PD considering red light traffic camera program

SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury Police are considering a red light traffic camera program to help reduce crashes and help drivers be safer on the roads.

During a Tuesday City Council work session, SPD requested to “piggy-back” off of a service contract held by Howard County Police Department. The contract would allow the installation  and use of automated red light traffic cameras.

Howard County’s program began in 1998, and is run by service provider Verra Mobility Corporation DBA American Traffic Solutions. The county currently supports eleven partners in six counties across Maryland, through American Traffic Solutions, Inc (ATS). Each of the partners has a memoranda of understanding with Howard County and its service contract with ATS.

SPD says that process will allow for a competitive bid process. Plus, Howard County’s experience with its already existing program, could help SPD kick start their own. That’s because Howard County has a Uniform Standards Guide for its program, which all partners are required to follow.

Howard County also provides training on how to use ATS’ software, and how to use it in court testimony. District Court judges are also trained by Howard County on how to process data and citations collected by the camera systems.

SPD says reviewal of violations and whether or not to issue a citation would be up to them. Howard County would then review all citations as a quality control measure before they are mailed out.

There are some financial and logistical considerations to be made with the program, according to SPD. Each camera would cost about $2,450 per month to lease, and a monthly $165 management fee. Plus, the State Highway Administration would require approval for installation of cameras.

Mayor Jake Day says the next step is to gather more information about how the program would work, and consider a competitive bid process. He says additional research will be brought back to council over the next four to eight weeks.