DUPONT LEVERAGES TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY
The City of DuPont is implementing new technology to enhance public safety, a paramount priority for Mayor Frederick’s administration. Remote-view cameras on various city properties and automated traffic-enforcement systems will be installed in intersections and school zones. Mayor Frederick said, “Based on cost effectiveness, labor capacity, and input from the Council we identified two prevailing areas: remote-view cameras on city properties, especially in our public parks, and photo enforcement cameras, similar to systems already in use in neighboring communities such as Lakewood, Tacoma, Fife, Puyallup, and other cities within Pierce County.”
With both projects voted on and approved by the DuPont City Council in 2022, most remote-view cameras have already been installed and should be in use by spring of 2023. Mayor Frederick said the Police Department will manage both systems. These cameras are in public areas belonging to the city, such as public parks and city facilities including City Hall, the police and fire stations, and the newly constructed public works building. The installation of the traffic enforcement cameras will begin this month and will be exclusive to active school zones and intersections for red light and failure-to-stop violations, pursuant to existing state law.
Before the activation of the enforcement cameras, the police department will initiate a public awareness campaign, educating the public on the camera system, the state laws related to automated traffic enforcement, and provide a 30 day “warning period” where all violators will be mailed a warning notice in lieu of a finable citation during the warning period.
“Utilizing technology is a force multiplier for our police department,” said Police Chief Doug Newman. “The overwhelming number of requests and complaints we receive are related to public demand for increased traffic enforcement. Photo-enforcement systems in school zones and intersections for red light violations provides a greater level of safety for our children, drivers, and pedestrians. It also frees up our officers to focus on, and respond to, other public safety matters throughout the city.”
The full press release can be found here.