Polk County To End Mobile Speed Camera Citations

DES MOINES, IA — A Polk County program that has used speed cameras inside parked law enforcement vehicles to issue citations will be coming to an end next month. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced today that the department will end the automated traffic enforcement program when its current contract for the project expires on Dec. 18.

The sheriff's office has worked with GATSO USA since the program began in 2013. According to a news release, the original intent was to enhance public safety by slowing traffic speeds and reducing serious traffic accidents resulting in fatalities due to high-speed collisions. The department "feels the ATEV program provided value, met our goal of slowing down traffic, and reducing both serious collisions and fatalities," the news release said. "At this time, we feel our goals were met by ... making drivers more conscious of their speed in a way to enhance safety on our streets.”

The department consulted with the Polk County Attorney and Polk County Board of Supervisors in deciding to let the existing agreement expire without renewal, the news release said. Officials added they reserve the right to begin the program again if it is deemed necessary in the future.

"As always, we will closely follow traffic speeds in our jurisdiction, unsafe traffic conditions, and especially the number of serious accidents resulting in fatalities," the sheriff's department said.

Citations will continue to be issued until Dec. 18 and all outstanding citations will be collected.

Patch file photo/Megan VerHelst