Harford's Craig: 'No Desire' For Speed Cameras

Harford County Executive David Craig claims he's not a speeder—and he doesn't think he needs a camera to prove it.

Craig said on a radio show Tuesday afternoon that he has no interest in bringing speed cameras to the county.

On WYPR-FM's Midday with Dan Rodricks Tuesday, Craig said: "I was never in favor of speed cameras personally, myself, and neither was our delegation when they voted on that bill years ago. Our County Council is not in favor of it. There's just, generally, not any desire to do speed cameras [in Harford County]."

  » Listen to the audio here

The proof is in the action—or inaction.

While the county and its three municipalities—Aberdeen, Bel Air and Havre de Grace—may have discussed the viability of speed cameras behind closed doors in the past, the conversation hasn't really hit daylight.

Aside from a brief mention in a 2011 Havre de Grace City Council meeting, speed cameras really haven't been discussed publicly around Harford County.

Aberdeen Mayor Michael Bennett said the city was given a demonstration on speed cameras near Aberdeen High School more than a year ago, but that's all.

"We really haven't done anything on it yet, but it has been talked about," Bennett said. "If the police chief comes back and says there's a need for it, we'll look at it in more detail. It's not an overriding concern right now."

Other municipalities around the state have adopted speed cameras.

In Baltimore City, where cameras recently ticketed a car stopped at a red light, the cameras are a hot topic.

But elsewhere, officials say cameras are working rather smoothly.

"Our system is totally different," Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said on Midday Tuesday.

"We use a laser technology" similar to a hand-held radar, he said.

Kamenetz went on to say the program in Baltimore County is accurate.

Also on Midday, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman said Howard County also uses laser technology. He said Howard County looked to start slow, enforcing speed in school zones by camera, but also with two vans that enables the county to target areas of enforcement.

For now, Harford County commuters only need to worry about red light cameras.

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