posted February 22, 2005
The city is considering setting up cameras along the dangerous Hixson Pike S Curves.
Bill McDonald, city public works director, said steps have been taken to "dramatically reduce accidents along the S Curves. But we have still not solved the problem of speed."
Jay Spector, of the Transol firm, told the City Council his company can set up cameras to catch those speeding as well as those running red lights.
He said the cameras can capture multiple images of the law violators and zoom in to get the license tag numbers.
Mr. Specter said the images are sent to the city police to determine if an offense has been committed. On those who will be prosecuted, the Transol firm sends out the tickets. Appeals go to the local court.
He said those cited can go to the Internet and see images of their offense before deciding whether to appeal. He said only a small number do so.
Mr. Specter said his company gets a percentage of the ticket amount.
Mr. McDonald said police like the system because it eliminates the need for dangerous chases. "The camera does the work."
He said there would be fixed cameras as well as a mobile camera that is moved to various spots.
He said he will take the proposal to Hixson residents to see if they like it before bringing it back to the council.
Councilwoman Sally Robinson said a recent survey she sent out got a lot of response dealing with the speeding problem - both on Hixson Pike as well as in neighborhoods. She said citizens "want more enforcement."
She said, "Seven or eight people have been killed on the S Curves in the past few years. We need more enforcement to protect pedestrians and other motorists."
Ms. Robinson said Hixson residents tell her that as soon as police officers leave the S Curves "the speed goes back up."
Mr. Specter said the system is being used in Germantown and that Knoxville, Gallatin and Jackson are considering it.
Mr. McDonald said the city may eventually make a Request for Proposals on the system.
Councilman Yusuf Hakeem said some segment of his constituents may view the system as "Big Brother looking over their shoulder."
Mr. McDonald said the existence of the cameras will be highly publicized.
He said they will not focus on the driver, but on the vehicle.
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