On average, Warwick police issue between 175 to 220 traffic citations a week for a range of offenses from running a red light, failure to wear a seat belt , failing to stop for a pedestrian in a cross walk,  texting while driving, DUI and speeding. Last week the number exceeded the averages with 239 citations.

Ever since taking office, Mayor Frank Picozzi has talked about stepping up enforcement to enhance safety. Now he is exploring the use of traffic cameras to catch speeders in school zones and nab those running red lights. Last week Picozzi announced on Facebook that the city would seek bids for traffic cameras.

Immediately some constituents were seeing red, others applauded the action and yet others asked why this issue hadn’t come before the city council prior to soliciting bids.

City Council President Steve McAllister wants constituents to know no decisions have been reached and the use of cameras wouldn’t happen until the administration puts forward a proposal to the City Council and it is voted on.

“Residents of Warwick will have an opportunity to provide their thoughts and concerns in public at a city council meeting, if the administration requests to have the purchase of these cameras added to a future council agenda,” he said in an email.

Picozzi said he and members of the police department visited East Providence, which already has the cameras, and have talked with Pawtucket and Providence police who are likewise using the cameras. Picozzi was amazed by the number of citations and the fines generated.

He was asked about the revenue. He didn’t have an amount, adding, “I’m not interested in revenue, but people obeying the law.” He said he constantly sees motorists speeding up in an attempt to beat a stop light, citing a case he witnessed this week where two drivers went through the light at Airport and Post Roads with one vehicle coming close to being hit.

Col. Bradford Connor sees the cameras as giving the department a tool to control traffic while freeing officers to address other issues. He named social services as an area requiring more and more of police time. On that list are homelessness and calls relating to drug use and mental health.

“Since Covid, it has skyrocketed,” he said. “Every hour we’re going to get those types of calls.”

Connor couldn’t say whether the city would look to buy or lease the cameras. He is hopeful the city will receive multiple proposals in response to the solicitation for bids. His plan would be for companies interested to survey the city to identify the locations and the numbers of cameras needed. The cameras that legislatively are restricted to enforcing speed within school zones would be programed with a 10 MPH grace, meaning motorists driving 30 MPH in a 20 MPH school zone wouldn’t be ticketed. There would also be a few seconds grace on those driving through a red light.

The cameras would not be used for surveillance, nor would they be used in tandem with the Floc cameras that are focused on registration plates and have proven effective in tracking stolen vehicles and finding missing persons.

“These are totally separate,” said Connor.

He sees deploying the cameras in three phases: education, warning and enforcement.

In the first phase, the public would be informed of camera locations and their purpose. There would be signs and the cameras would be visible. During the warning period of no less than a month motorists would be issued a warning of their infraction and finally they would receive a citation under the enforcement and final phase. Connor estimated it could take about six months from the point a contract is awarded and enforcement begins.

If what happened in other communities is a good indicator, there would be a rash of violations to start with, which would dwindle as the public abided by the law. Picozzi expects out of towners would become the bulk of violators over time.

It’s hard to project the number of violations the cameras would record over a week, for that is a factor of the number of cameras, volume of traffic and even the weather. Picozzi and Connor think the city may need a second municipal court judge to adjudicate the influx of violations. The fines, it is thought, would cover the additional costs.