Photo by Michael Whitney.
MONROE — The City Council last week discussed the potential of adding traffic enforcement cameras, including in school speed zones and red light enforcement.
According to Mayor Geoffrey Thomas, the city has not decided on traffic cameras.
Some council members gave comments last week that support the idea.
Any ordinance authorizing automated ticketing cameras must be subject to an advisory vote by the people at the next general election.
The council intends to continue discussions scheduled for July 9. If an advisory vote were to be placed on the November ballot, a decision would need to be made by July 30. Advisory votes are not binding.
Several cities and municipalities in Snohomish County, such as Edmonds, Everett, and Lynnwood, have traffic cameras similar to those under discussion.
Councilmembers Kevin Hanford and Kirk Scarboro noted that they had not received public comments expressing support for traffic cameras.
“I have not received one email from one citizen saying we want red traffic light cameras, and no citizen has talked to me and said ‘I’m interested,’” Hanford said.
Scarboro echoed Hanford’s sentiment, stating that no one had reached out, and he interpreted this silence as opposition.
Councilmember Kyle Fisher, who supports cameras as a solution, said “we’ve been hearing complaints of speeding” frequently.
Safety concerns emerged as a supporting argument for the cameras during the session.
“We’ve got some unsafe streets,” Councilmember Tami Beaumont said. She said she’s not opposed to using cameras.
Councilmember Jacob Walker said speed zone cameras in school zones were a “no-brainer.”
The council identified several problematic areas where cameras could potentially aid enforcement, including Main Street, 179th Street, U.S. 2, Powell Street and Sams Street.
Later in the meeting, Hanford advocated for the issue to be put to an advisory vote, possibly alongside a detailed list of reasons supporting the integration of traffic cameras.
Walker expressed interest in continuing discussions that focus on the cost and logistical aspects of enforcement. He suggested restricting camera use to school zones due to stronger community support.
“I feel like the speed in school zones has a lot more support amongst our residents, so if we could just limit it to school zones,” Walker said.
Historical timeline
• Fall 2007: Monroe establishes contract with camera company for red light and speed cameras.
• June 2011: Cameras activated: Speed cameras on Main Street at Frank Wagner Elementary and on Fryelands Boulevard at Fryelands Elementary, plus red-light
running cameras at U.S. 2 and Kelsey Street.
• June 2011: Citizen-led ballot initiative opposing
cameras appears. Monroe’s then-City Council majority later rejects putting it onto the ballot.
• February 2013: State Court of Appeals sides with city over council’s decision to not put forward a 2011 ballot initiative to kill cameras to voters.
• December 2013: Red light cameras deactivated because five-year camera company contract expired and because they were unpopular.
