City adds traffic camera locations

37 more spots selected to monitor speed, red lights

Baltimore transportation officials said Friday they are setting up traffic cameras in 37 new locations throughout the city — 27 of them to monitor speed.

The city has been quickly expanding its fleet of traffic cameras, which are bringing in millions of dollars in revenue. Last year, Baltimore increased the number of traffic cameras from 56 to 100.

Officials did not respond to questions Friday about whether they were increasing the number of cameras again or merely redeploying cameras from other parts of the city

Baltimore “uses automated speed, red light and commercial vehicle height monitoring system cameras to promote safe driving habits in city communities,” transportation officials said in a statement.

Speed camera tickets cost $40 each. Red-light violations are $75.

The city expects to collect $21.2 million this fiscal year from its camera network — nearly triple the amount budgeted for last year, and close to the record $31 million in fines issued in 2012. The system was shut down in 2013 for issuing erroneous tickets.

This is the city's third traffic camera program. In the first two, cameras issued erroneous tickets. A Baltimore Sun investigation in 2012 revealed several problems, including tickets issued to cars that were moving slowly or stopped altogether.

The city’s spending panel voted in June to use an extra $4 million generated by speed camera fines — on top of the $8 million in budgeted revenue from them — to help pay unfunded overtime expenses in the Fire Department.

By law, revenue from speed cameras must be used for public safety purposes, including pedestrian safety programs.

Officials say supporting the Fire Department is an appropriate use of the funds.

Speed cameras, which issue tickets to cars driving at least 12 miles per hour over the speed limit, could be posted at locations as early as Aug. 13. Some of the locations are listed below.

For a complete list, visit www.baltimoresun.com:

Cross Country Elementary/Middle School: 6000-6200 Cross Country Blvd.

Center for Creative Learning: 5000-5200 Baltimore National Pike

Calvert School: 001 to 200 West University Parkway

GreenMount School: 300-600 West 28th St.; 300-600 West 29th St.

Creative City Public Charter School: 3900-4100 Reisterstown Road

Frederick Douglass High School, Independence School Local I High, and Gwynn’s Falls Elementary School: 26003000 Reisterstown Road

Graceland Park-O’Donnell Heights Elementary/ Middle School: 5500- 6500 O’Donnell St.

Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/ Middle School: 1900-2100 E. Fayette St.

Northwood Appold Community Academy: 1300-1500 E. Cold Spring Lane

Cardinal Shehan School: 1600-2000 Belvedere Ave.

City Neighbors Hamilton Elementary/ High School and Arts and Ideas Sudbury School: 3400-3600 Echodale Ave.

Northwood Elementary School and Baltimore Collegiate School for boys: 900-1400 Woodbourne Ave.

The Catholic High School and the Reach Partnership School: 1900-3100 Belair Road

Montebello Elementary/Middle School: 3200-3600 Harford Ave.