Westbury weighs school speed cameras

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Westbury weighs school speed cameras
The Old Westbury Board of Trustees on May 16. (Photo by Steven Keehner)

Speed zone cameras dominated the public discussion during an Old Westbury Board of Trustees meeting Monday night at Village Hall.

New York State Senate Bill S9198 would create a school speed zone camera demonstration program in Old Westbury. Proposed by the village itself, it would focus on up to nine areas surrounding Wheatley School.

“With a high proliferation of individuals speeding within the school zone, these speed zone cameras would go a long way towards improving student, pedestrian and motor vehicle safety,” according to the bill’s justification. “With an ever increasing use of speed zone cameras, the Village of Old Westbury would be benefited by the added safety and enforcement measurers these cameras would represent.”

The subject was initially raised at the beginning of the meeting during the police activity report. The public did not share their opinions until later when one resident asked how many cameras the community would wind up getting. 

In response, Village Attorney Michael Sahn noted that up to nine locations could be identified, but no definitive answer could be given. 

“Now whether or not ultimately the state will provide the funding and the authorization for nine [cameras] remains to be seen,” he said.

Sahn later mentioned the possibility of the village earning revenue from fines.

“It depends on the ultimate legislation that’s passed and on the terms of the demonstration project,” he said. “So some degree of it depends on the language of the final law that the state Legislature passes.”

The bill was sent to the Transportation Committee of the state Senate May 12. Now, the committee will decide whether to submit it to the Senate floor.

The board meeting, which lasted less than half an hour, was otherwise composed of committee reports and the approval of several motions.

The next Old Westbury Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 21, at 7 p.m. in Village Hall.

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