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Saturday, November 10, 2012

Wicomico Sheriff Defends Traffic Camera Usage

SALISBURY -- Despite a minor hiccup that resulted in a week’s worth of speeding violations being refunded, Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis stood by his office’s continued use of traffic cameras this week.

“This has enabled us to do a lot with our resources … I think they’re working as desired,” he told the County Council Tuesday.

Currently, the sheriff’s office has two traffic cameras that it deploys in different county school zones. They are only deployed Monday through Friday between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. The cameras first became operational in July and since then have accumulated some impressive numbers.

Lewis confirmed that 586 speeding citations have been issued directly because of the cameras. Of those 586, only 15 have been contested and only one has been defeated in court. The sheriff explained that even that one defeat only came as a result of human error in submitting evidence by the prosecutor.

Those 586 citations have generated $23,400 in gross revenue, Lewis continued, with the county netting $14,650. Additionally, zero collisions have been reported in the areas where the cameras operate.

“I’m well aware when I enter a school zone that the cameras are functioning,” said Lewis, who added that the system is working “very, very well.”

20 comments:

  1. I may not like the cams...even the idea of...I do have to admit that they do work to reduce speeders, with very little human resource output

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  2. As was stated a long time ago, it's all about the money they generate, period.

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  3. Lewis, "blahblahblahblah." Hey Lewis, noone cares what you say anymore. Go away.

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  4. If they were actually "working", there should be zero citations because everyone would be obeying the speed limit.

    What they mean is that the cameras are working to generate revenue.

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  5. Put one on every street and legalize pot we can do away with a large part of the sheriff dept saving the county millions of dollars.

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  6. The town of Laurel, MD, has a revenue problem this year because the traffic cams were so effective in slowing speeders that the money collected has dropped about 40%. Speeding fines were a large part of funding for their police department.

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  7. Does this mean we can get RID of the STATE TROOPERS...? We all know all they are a bunch of TRAFFIC AGENTS with a cap pistol.......from a X ticket receiver ...lol

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  8. Those 586 citations have generated $23,400 in gross revenue, Lewis continued, with the county netting $14,650.

    dum dum de dum DAH!!!

    Thank you. More proof that it is about quotas and revenue.

    Now that the cameras free up a deputy or two, do we need that one or two deputy (s)??

    Couldn't we lay those officers off and save even MORE money?

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  9. Not a very flattering picture for the sheriff or leo's in general. I would like to give my 'real' opinion but I'm afraid it would not be published.

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  10. I purchased a very high end radar detector to combat the city's sneaky way of digging into my pockets.

    I have not recieved another ticket since I installed it. Best 300 bucks I ever spent.

    I will say this, I will NEVER buy a home in Salisbury now. JUST BECAUSE OF THE CAMERAS. If they have them now, what's next? The crime is bad enough, if I wanted to live in the city I would just move to bmore.

    They got me with 8 citations for speeding. Bought the radar detector, they have not gotten me since.

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  11. Responding to 9:58 PM

    I agree. There should be direct relationship in Wicomico County Sheriff workforce reduction and implementation of the speedtrap program. If the cameras are expanded into major arteries or thoroughfares - it is only responsible for our local government to curtail law enforcement as they are no longer needed.

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  12. Maan, oh man. Showing money to politicians (and their armed enforcers) is like throwing red meat in a lion cage. Not only do they gobble it up with glee, but look around for more. All of you who cheered when the police started using unmanned surveillance (don't forget--35,000 DRONES will be also watching us 24-7 soon...thats right, all day, all night, everyday) to force "compliance" (the STATED reason), will undoubtably regret your enthusiasm one day. The end does NOT justify the means.

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  13. I hope he defends the automated cell phone ticket technology that is coming soon.Way too many rear end collisions occurring because of texting.

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  14. How long does it take to get the money back for the cost of the cameras??

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  15. I don't see a problem with the cameras. If you are speeding you are breaking the law. If you get hit by a camera you are doing in front of a school. As far as the remark about not buying a house in Salisbury, the cameras are by schools, that means county wide. Red light cameras were city only but that is what the discussion is about.

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  16. Slow down in SCHOOL ZONES it's just that simple !Whine about the cameras if you want ;you know that they are there so slow down and save some gas
    money !

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  17. Actually and oddly, not only do they have a camera on route 50, they also had speed recording strips on the road for 2 weeks or more, all in the same area. If the cameras were working so well, why do you need speed strips? Accuracy issues?

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  18. "Additionally, zero collisions have been reported in the areas where the cameras operate."

    What about the Bennett student that was hit by a car three weeks ago right in front of the school? I guess that doesn't count?

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  19. The sad part is that the Sheriffs used most of that revenue went to the Mike Lewis inner circle. I am shocked it has not made the local media. I am told that lewis gave his command staff a large raise. The deputies like the rest of the county work force got a 2% raise and furlough days back. Lewis in turn gave his upper command a raise way above the rest of the county force ?? W.T.F. is going on at the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office. In tough economic times the county gave a much needed fair rasie to all the workers. Why would the Sheriff of this county feel his coomand staff deserved more ?? If this is what the Sheriff is going to do with the revenue take the things down. I could see cars and much needed equipment being purchased, but a raise to the Monday-Friday Admin. staff. What message is Lewis sending tothe tax payers of Wicomico County. What message is he sending the men and women that work the streets. Just a bad call all way around. As a life long Wicomico resident and a strong supporter of Mike Lewis I did not believe this to be true. I did some digging and spoke to a couple of people I know at the Sheriff's Office. Joe it is a fact. It has lowered morale and I cant say as a tax payer that I am happy with this move.

    Mike think hard on how you spend this revenue it can turn a good thing bad in a hurry. What incentive does this give the young officers at your agency. Maybe you can respond to this and clear the air. There could be a good reason. Those I spoke to are truly insulted and feel a line is being drawn. I cant say that I blame them on this point. A house divided is a weak house. Those of us out in the county depend on your men and women. Hopefully you can shed some light on this. God bless you and your troops.

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  20. If anyone thinks mike lewis cares about anyone other than himself they are not in touch with reality. He will run one more time, so he can collect another taxpayrr funded pension, before running for state rep seat. I wonder if it was "the prosecuters fault", because mike lewis found out that the Wicomico County States Attorney's Office refers to him and his "teaching?" as the mike lewis roadshow ? Can anyone file a FIOA Request for the records, his key fob use is recorded, of how often or not mike lewis and his chosen command staff, actually enter the building. Wake Up Wicomico County Citizens, we deserve someone who actually cares about them more than himself. He should be our servant, instead of us being his personal ego booster.

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