Post by redstone14 on Nov 17, 2014 11:12:57 GMT -5
Residents protest Nassau's school zone speed cameras
Updated November 16, 2014 9:51 PM
By MACKENZIE RIGG mackenzie.rigg@newsday.com
Dozens protested Sunday in Mineola to oppose Nassau County's controversial school-zone speed cameras, many holding signs with messages like "Scameras are revenue raisers not life savers" and "We are not your ATM."
About 70 people gathered outside the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building.
"We want all the tickets dismissed, the ending of the program and money returned," said Ned Newhouse of Woodbury. "This is a money grab, pure and simple."
Newhouse is a member of a Facebook group against the program that has more than 2,800 members. Sunday's event was announced on the site.
Several people Sunday acknowledged motorists are breaking the law when they receive the tickets, but argued that there isn't clear signage in school zones and that the speed limits in these areas are inconsistent throughout the county.
"I wish they would just tell it the way it is -- it's about money and safety," Bill Bennett, 56, of Baldwin said.
If safety was the concern, the county would have flashing lights and police officers stationed outside schools, he said.
Bennett said people being ticketed are breaking the law, "but when that cash flow stops coming in, what do they do next?"
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation in June allowing Nassau and Suffolk counties to place speed cameras in school zones.
After unanimously approving the program, Nassau lawmakers now want to end it, or, at least, add more conspicuous warning signs at the dozens of school zones with speed cameras.
Several people Sunday said clear signage should have come first. County officials said last week they will install new signs with flashing lights in the 56 school zones eligible for speed cameras, after officials set aside a nearly $7 million plan to place warnings outside all 434 public and private schools.
Franklin Square resident Connie Wiermann said she has received eight tickets. After her second ticket, she said she kept her eye on the speedometer and contends she was not speeding for the other tickets.
She said she believes the calibration of the cameras must be off. A grandmother of four, she said she's "very concerned about kids' safety, but I don't think that's what this is about."
Claudia Borecky, president of the North Merrick Civic Association, had mixed opinions of the cameras. She said there is a need for them, but not all day. The cameras run 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on school days, county officials said.
"It should be on hours when children are going to and from school," she said.
www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/residents-protest-nassau-s-school-zone-speed-cameras-1.9623062
Updated November 16, 2014 9:51 PM
By MACKENZIE RIGG mackenzie.rigg@newsday.com
Dozens protested Sunday in Mineola to oppose Nassau County's controversial school-zone speed cameras, many holding signs with messages like "Scameras are revenue raisers not life savers" and "We are not your ATM."
About 70 people gathered outside the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building.
"We want all the tickets dismissed, the ending of the program and money returned," said Ned Newhouse of Woodbury. "This is a money grab, pure and simple."
Newhouse is a member of a Facebook group against the program that has more than 2,800 members. Sunday's event was announced on the site.
Several people Sunday acknowledged motorists are breaking the law when they receive the tickets, but argued that there isn't clear signage in school zones and that the speed limits in these areas are inconsistent throughout the county.
"I wish they would just tell it the way it is -- it's about money and safety," Bill Bennett, 56, of Baldwin said.
If safety was the concern, the county would have flashing lights and police officers stationed outside schools, he said.
Bennett said people being ticketed are breaking the law, "but when that cash flow stops coming in, what do they do next?"
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation in June allowing Nassau and Suffolk counties to place speed cameras in school zones.
After unanimously approving the program, Nassau lawmakers now want to end it, or, at least, add more conspicuous warning signs at the dozens of school zones with speed cameras.
Several people Sunday said clear signage should have come first. County officials said last week they will install new signs with flashing lights in the 56 school zones eligible for speed cameras, after officials set aside a nearly $7 million plan to place warnings outside all 434 public and private schools.
Franklin Square resident Connie Wiermann said she has received eight tickets. After her second ticket, she said she kept her eye on the speedometer and contends she was not speeding for the other tickets.
She said she believes the calibration of the cameras must be off. A grandmother of four, she said she's "very concerned about kids' safety, but I don't think that's what this is about."
Claudia Borecky, president of the North Merrick Civic Association, had mixed opinions of the cameras. She said there is a need for them, but not all day. The cameras run 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on school days, county officials said.
"It should be on hours when children are going to and from school," she said.
www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/residents-protest-nassau-s-school-zone-speed-cameras-1.9623062
