Eustis Seeking To Use Cameras To Write Speeding Tickets

    The City of Eustis is looking to begin the practice of writing speeding tickets by automated camera. Already approved by the Eustis City Commission, the plan seeks to install privately owned and operated cameras in school zones in the city to automatically cite vehicles that the system says are speeding.
   City staff on Tuesday sought approval to install the system on county roads, addressing the Lake County Commission during its regular meeting.
   “The goal is to improve safety,” said city manager Tom Carrino, outlining the program that looks to use cameras and radar detectors to take pictures of license plates of vehicles deemed to be ten miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit inside a school zone. The system would then generate a $100 ticket that would be mailed to the owner of the vehicle.
   Eustis police officials at the meeting claimed the system was being pursued at least in part due to a shortage of available police oversight in school zones.
   “We’re hurting for resources,” said John Fahning of the EPD. “We can’t be there all the time”.
   Members of the meeting’s audience voiced concern about the program. Concerns over incorrect billing and pushback against the rise of the surveillance state were raised, with commission chairperson Kirby Smith voicing concern about proper billing.
   “You can’t identify who the driver is,” Smith said.
   Representatives said there is a way for people improperly ticketed, meaning they weren’t driving the vehicle when it was selected for violation, to clear the charge from their record. They would have to seek out and complete an available affidavit saying they weren’t driving, and also say who was.
   “I think it is worth a try,” said commissioner Doug Shields of the program, but with just three commissioners present at the meeting, the issue was tabled. The motion was made by commissioner Leslie Campione to table the issue until a full board could hear the request at the commission’s September 26 meeting.
   The city is also seeking State of Florida approval to place the cameras on SR 19 in town. It is believed the city will place the cameras at school crossings on city streets, but officials on Tuesday said those school zones are much more lightly traveled than state or county roads.