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Berwyn Heights residents were largely in favor of installing speed cameras at school zones at the Oct. 14 council meeting.

If speed cameras are installed, motorists driving more than 12 miles over the posted speed limit in designated areas can receive fines up to $40.

Pat Agee, a town resident for 53 years, said she hopes other residents will respond favorably to the proposal, as the cameras would have a positive effect on the community. "For a small town, we have a lot of traffic," Agee said.

A new state law that went into effect Oct. 1 allows municipalities and counties the authority to install speed cameras within a half-mile of schools.

Councilman Richard Ahrens said that the cameras are ran by laser technology and designed to capture photographs of the license plates of drivers going more than 12 mph over the designated speed limit to the tenth of a mile.

"This is pretty sophisticated stuff," Ahrens said.

Aherns said a child was struck by a motorist about 10 years ago.

Berwyn Heights Town Council designated three school zones — Pontiac Street in front of Berwyn Heights Elementary, Quebec Street behind the school and the section of Greenbelt Road that is in front of Greenbelt Middle School — where it would like to install cameras, as those areas have the most issues with speeding, said Mayor Cheye Calvo.

Berwyn Heights Elementary Principal Karen Singer said she fully supports the cameras.

"Anything you can do to benefit the students who are not looking when they are crossing the street is appreciated," Singer said.

Berwyn Heights Police Chief Patrick A. Murphy said officers usually issue tickets for violators of the speed limit around regular school hours, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, times before and after school when children are walking in the area is also taken into consideration.

"The cameras are allowed to operate from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.; there should be a blinking light when they are running, but it is not always precise," Calvo said.

But resident Jeremy Harris said he is not convinced of the effectiveness of these devices.

"My gut reaction is that this is going to be a periodic $40 toll," Harris said.

The town is only allowed to collect 10 percent of the total profit from ticketing, which can only be used for public safety.

"My goal would be to do things to make the street safer, such as build sidewalks," Calvo said.

The council will meet again at the end of November for the second reading and possible adoption of the camera installation. If vendor tests to determine the viability of the proposed locations are successful and there is enough support from residents and council members, the cameras can be up as soon as January, Calvo said.

"It was fairly positive," said Calvo about the reaction of residents to the proposed ordinance. "I received e-mails 2-to-1 in favor, and as people learn more about the program, they will be more comfortable. That's why we want to take the time to hear from the public."

E-mail Kristina Rowley at krowley@gazette.net.