Canton Kills Plan To Install Traffic Enforcement Cameras

CANTON, CT — Like many Connecticut communities, Canton has been actively looking to encourage safer driving and enforce traffic laws as part of that charge.

But the Canton Board of Selectmen earlier this month stopped short of putting traffic control cameras in town, voting 4-1 to kill a proposed ordinance allowing them in town by voting against sending the ordinance to a necessary public hearing.

Citing everything from accuracy concerns to worries that such cameras would infringe on motorists' rights to challenge any ticket, selectmen offered several reasons to nix the plan.

Recently, selectmen received a presentation from Sitestream out of Beverly, Mass., an outside company that would operate and maintain the cameras in exchange for a percentage of the fines.

Selectmen March 10, however, said they were not ready for such an arrangement and didn't think it would improve safety in town all that much.

"Traffic devices may slow speeds where they are located, but not throughout town. The citation would be issued to the owner of the vehicle, which creates a legal issue and the complication of the owner who would need to generate a defense for his innocence," said Selectman Tim LeGeyt, adding the process only utilizes a still photo and information can easily get lost.

Other selectmen agreed.

"We would be taking an act that was always considered a criminal act and would then consider that, through legal and verbal gymnastics, we are going to instill a severe penalty on citizens while stripping them of all the due process that they are entitled to," said Selectman Stephen Sedor.

"Currently, there is due process if someone gets a ticket. They can challenge it in court with the police officer present. They are presumed innocent. This new ordinance and statute backing the ordinance would turn that process on its head."

The selectmen's vote came after several residents spoke during the Canton Board of Selectmen's public comments portion of the March 12 agenda.

Nearly all speakers were vehemently opposed to traffic cameras in town.

"We need less government control. There is no reason to surveil every car. There are more police cars on the road, which is the way to continue," said resident Gregg Boyko, one of many against the idea.

Resident Jordan Toussaint said issuing traffic tickets based on surveillance cameras simply creates too many risks for the town and its residents' rights.

"It is a risk regarding the charter and our rights. The risks do not outweigh the benefits. The data housed in the devices could be misused. The police department does commendable work and face-to-face interaction is needed," he said.

One person did speak up in favor of the cameras.

Canton resident Jennifer Able said, "Traffic control devices do work."

"They have a powerful effect on behavior. Statistics show that speed kills. It provides a common-sense, proven approach," she said.

For the minutes of the March 12 Canton Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.

To watch the March 12 Canton Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.