A new traffic camera project in Milton has drawn the attention of thousands of people and sparked debate, with city leaders arguing the project is improving safety, but drivers remain frustrated.
MILTON, Wash. — A new traffic camera project in Milton has generated more than $800,000 in less than a year, frustrating some drivers while city leaders believe the system is already changing behavior and improving safety.
The automated cameras went live in early October, initially issuing warnings before converting to tickets in November. The enforcement program now covers several sections along Milton Way, including near Lake Middle School and at the 28th Street intersection.
According to the Milton Police Department, the system generated $803,582.50 in revenue through 14,909 citations in the first eight months.
At Wild Roots Hair Company in Milton, cameras have become a frequent topic of conversation among customers and employees.
“I hear people talking about those smelly cameras out there almost every day,” said Leah Steacker, a commuter who drives to work in Milton.
Sabbatha Elmstedt, a staff member at the salon, said many customers said they had received tickets.
“We probably have two or three customers a day that come in and say they’ve gotten a ticket or say they’ve been cited,” Elmstetter said.
Tickets start at $115. Stick said she was surprised when she received the ticket herself.
“I didn’t say too much,” Stick said. “The police won’t pull me over for a ticket… 42 miles out of 35.”
Milton Police Chief Tony Hernandez disputed that claim, saying the city’s officers routinely stop drivers for going six miles per hour over the posted speed limit.
“Well, that’s not an accurate statement because if you go six miles over the posted speed limit, we will pull you over in the city,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said the city implemented the camera system in response to long-standing concerns about speeding in Milton, particularly drivers traveling through the city on their way to other destinations.
“One of the things we’ve been trying to solve as a city is preventing or getting people to obey speed limits as they’re walking through the city trying to get to another location,” Hernandez said.
The chief said ticket data shows many of the violations are committed by drivers who don’t live in Milton.
“What we see in these numbers is we are able to determine where these people live,” Hernandez said. “So, through vehicle registrations, we know there are people coming from out of town who are transiting through here and they’re getting the majority of the violations.”
Under Washington law, revenue collected from automated traffic enforcement cameras must be deposited into a dedicated fund and used only to improve traffic and pedestrian safety.
Elmster said many residents want to see significant improvements related to the increased funding raised through the program.
“What’s more important is where the money generated from traffic violations is going so that we can see it being utilized,” Elmstetter said. “If we see some improvements in the city with this money, I don’t think residents will be as upset about it.”
Hernandez said the city is considering several safety-focused projects, including engineering upgrades, bike lanes and other traffic calming measures.
The police department also emphasized that Milton’s traffic cameras are not comparable to the Flock-style camera systems or real-time crime center technology used in some large cities. Officials said the cameras can only capture still images and short video clips related to violations and are not connected to each other, meaning they cannot track vehicles as they move through town.
Police say each citation must be reviewed and approved by a sworn officer before a ticket is issued.
Despite the criticism, city officials say they are waiting for a longer data sample before determining whether the program is successful.
Police plan to conduct a more detailed review in November, a year after citations officially began, to analyze whether speeding and dangerous driving have reduced in areas where the cameras have been installed.
