Investigation Begins Into Baltimore City Faulty Speed Cameras

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Speed camera investigation. For months, a faulty Baltimore speed camera system was behind issuing thousands of unwarranted tickets. A two-person investigation has begun.

Marcus Washington has more on the status of the cameras and whether you have to pay for the tickets in question.

For more than a year, the 83 speed cameras in Baltimore City have been shut down but the questions into what caused all that to happen never stopped. Tuesday, we found out that investigators have been hired to get to the bottom of the troubles.

Their purpose is to make sure you follow the laws of the road in hopes of keeping all motorists safe.

"On Greenspring I was going a little faster than I should so I just went and paid them," said Calvin Stanley.

During their operation, the 83 speed cameras generated the city of Baltimore more than $140 million from paid tickets.

But for years, speed cameras in Baltimore City took the pictures but falsely accused drivers of wrongdoing.

"Due to the audit and due to certain information that we have received, there have been erroneous tickets all over the place," said Delegate Frank Conway, Jr.

The city contracted two companies on two different occasions to operate the system. After the dilemma continued, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake ordered the speed cameras shut off until the problem was fixed.

"Yeah, because a lot of people slowed down, less accidents," said Theresa Polk. "I don't want to see them return."

The traffic cameras in Baltimore City have been out of commission for more than a year and with that being said, is there a need or desire for the camera working again? I asked that very question to the mayor's office and I was told yes.

"There is very much still a need and want by residents of Baltimore City to the program as soon as possible. However, once we bring them back online, it has to be done right," said Caron Brice.

WJZ has learned that City Councilman James Kraft has hired two investigators to look into the troubled system. There's no word on how long the investigation will go on or when they will return but drivers will see working speed cameras in the future.

"I wouldn't like to get any but to make the community a little bit safe, I would like to see them return," said Tiara Adams.

Anyone who received a ticket in connection with system problems were sent a letter and cleared from paying fines.

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