Readers Respond: Opinions split on mobile speed cameras

SHERWOOD, Ore. — The City of Sherwood's new mobile speed camera program has been active since late May with more than 1,000 warnings already issued during a 30-day grace period, before real ticketing will begin.

The amount of warnings garnered international attention, and we asked readers what they think about the new mobile speed cameras in town in an unofficial survey.

Out of 50 responses, 96% of readers were aware that the mobile speed cameras were issuing warnings.

About 41% strongly support the use of mobile speed cameras in Sherwood; but 39% strongly oppose them. About 14% somewhat oppose them, while 4% somewhat support them, and 2% of readers responded that they are neutral. 

Knowing that $66 of each citation is distributed to the State of Oregon and Washington County, and that remaining funds cover program costs before supporting local traffic safety initiatives, 26% of respondents said that knowledge makes them less supportive of the cameras, while 10% are more supportive. For 56% of respondents, the knowledge made no change to their opinion, 6% were unsure, and 2% were somewhat less supportive.

About 28% of readers have no concerns about the program. About 22% are concerned about the fairness of enforcement, 14% are concerned about privacy, 10% are concerned about traffic safety, and 10% are concerned about revenue generation. About 4% said they are concerned about the cost to taxpayers, and 2% said they are concerned about school zone safety. Other respondents said it is a “gross overreach of surveillance,” a distraction to drivers, may fill up courts unnecessarily, and that they believe a human officer should do it instead.

About 48% of respondents said they believe the cameras will reduce speeding in Sherwood, while 38% said they do not believe it, and 14% are unsure.

More than 81% said they have not changed their driving habits because of the cameras, with 16% saying they have, and 2% being unsure.

Here’s what Sherwood readers are saying they would like to see the city do to improve traffic safety.

Respondents are saying to improve safety, the city could add more cameras; to reduce cameras and add officers; to change the speed limits based on data; to increase pedestrian support; and to add speed bumps. Responses have been edited for clarity.

"I live on the corner of Oregon and Hall streets and the traffic on Oregon street has never been this quiet or slow in over 15 years. Oregon Street is no longer a drag strip, or a threat when pulling out onto Oregon Street. I hope the two devices stay and help generate revenue for Sherwood."

"Invest in more of these! People who don’t like these are speeders. I also think we need to ticket more people who go on their phone while driving. I see so much of that and it is so scary."

"Discontinue use of cameras and have officers do their jobs. Sherwood is not a fast-pace policed city. They have the time. This is purely a revenue generator."

"Honestly? More traffic cameras, more enforcement."

"I oppose public surveillance generally, and especially by private contractors."

"Install more of these cameras."

"Provide data on actual year over year accidents within Sherwood. Reduce government blanket surveillance."

"Patrol! I just don't do any business in Sherwood any longer with entrapment tactics in place."

"Issue tickets instead of warnings. Sending out over 1,000 warnings is useless, especially considering how much warning everyone in the city had knowing they were coming. The fines should also go to traffic safety before the state and county."

"Continue to educate drivers about the importance of signaling in roundabouts."

Adjust speed limits

"The street they are starting with has too low a speed limit. That is why so many are speeding."

"If 1,000 cars feel safe driving ~35 mph in that area, we should likely adjust the limit there. Apply whatever needs to be done such as cement barriers to the homes and give drivers a longer time to reduce to 25 mph."

"The city developing Old Town, while the main roads to get to Old Town are 25 mph, isn't a great plan."

"Implement reasonable speed limits. The first camera location is on a 25 mph road that is mostly industrial and should be 35 mph. Of course people speed, it is not unsafe to do so on this road."

"Reevaluate speed limits and post officers in critical areas of issue."

"More roundabouts and traffic flow studies that actually diagnose areas that the speed limits are too fast or too slow. Not cameras and government expansion."

Pedestrian safety

"My dad was hit and killed less than 10 blocks from where the speed cameras are currently placed. Jeff Olds was hit and killed in front of the Walmart. Emilia & Eliana were hit and killed on the sidewalk while walking to the grocery store. To my knowledge none of these drivers were even cited for failure to yield or for leaving the roadway. Maybe if Sherwood was actually interested in traffic safety they would start by prosecuting folks who kill pedestrians."

"Add bollards for bike lanes and raised crosswalks."

"Use things such as speed bumps that are much more effective and cost lost on our community members especially in the current economic climate."

"Increased support for pedestrian traffic. Additional/improved bike lanes, and particularly infrastructure for pedestrians, like shade in open areas and benches at regular intervals along high-traffic areas."

"Frequently drivers come to a complete stop at these crosswalks when there are no pedestrians anywhere near or in the crosswalks. This is super dangerous, unexpected, unnecessary, and shows that there needs to be better signage at these crosswalks."

"I would rather my taxes be raised to pay for more speed humps, maybe increase fines for more serious traffic violations as well."

"In general, prioritize cars less and prioritize bikes and pedestrians more. Much of Sherwood could be walkable if these changes were addressed."

"Aggressively ticket speeding in school zones and around places where kids play, like parks."

Stop signs

"Use passive traffic calming that does not impede normal traffic flow, and only where it's an actual problem."

"Put cameras on Ballard and Woodhaven intersection in Woodhaven. I see a minimum of 30 cars a day completely blow the stop sign."

"We have a problem with aggressive drivers who get impatient with those in front of them, and others who roll through stop signs."

"Issue more tickets for running stop signs."