The Baltimore County Police Department plans to activate a new speed camera outside Hampton Elementary School on Wednesday, April 22 much to the relief of Lutherville resident P.J. Connolly.
"We've been fighting and fighting to get something done. This is great news," said Connolly, president of the Dulaney Valley Improvement Association.
The new speed camera will be on Charmuth Road in the school zone at Hampton Elementary, according to a police department press release. For the first 30 days, motorists exceeding the speed limit by at least 12 mph will receive warnings rather than citations, according to the release.
In compliance with state law, Baltimore County's speed cameras operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., including during the summer and on weekdays when school is not in session.
The installation of a camera outside the school was based on traffic data and citizen complaints, said Cpl. John Wachter, a police department spokesman.
Hampton Elementary Principal Patricia Kaiser could not be reached for comment on whether any of the complaints came from the school's staff or parents.
Mychael Dickerson, a spokesman for the county school system, said he knew of no complaints but that, "Anything police do to make the areas in front of our schools safe, we're supportive and on board with it."
Connolly said traffic and speeding on Charmuth Road near the school in a 25 mph zone have been problems since the 1980s and that several traffic accidents have happened in recent years. He thinks many motorists are using Charmuth as a shortcut between Dulaney Valley and York roads.
Connolly also said he has been lobbying the county unsuccessfully for about eight years to put a four-way stop sign at Charmuth and Felton roads.