Title
Consider a Referral Regarding Speed Enforcement Cameras
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to add the topic of Speed Enforcement Cameras to the 2026 Community Livability and Public Safety Committee Work Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to add the topic of Speed Enforcement Cameras to the 2026 Community Livability and Public Safety Committee Work Plan.
Staff Contact:
Susan Grisham, Assistant to the City Manager, 360.753.8441
Presenter(s):
Kelly Green, Councilmember
Background and Analysis:
Recent pedestrian fatalities, statewide traffic data, accident trends, and resident feedback indicate that speeding on city streets is becoming an increasingly serious issue. Speed safety cameras may help reduce speeding in targeted areas, particularly school zones, and serve as a consistent reminder for drivers to follow posted limits in high-pedestrian locations.
Councilmember Green, with support from Councilmembers Cooper and Vanderpool, request, that the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee review available research and discuss the feasibility of implementing speed safety cameras in Olympia. If the Committee finds the concept worthwhile, it is asked to forward a recommendation to the City Council for consideration of adopting speed safety cameras within the City.
Research must keep in mind issues of privacy and potential implications related to our Sanctuary City commitments. Some items to consider should include:
• Potential number and placement of speed safety cameras. Washington law limits determines types and locations of cameras so data would be required to establish likely camera locations.
• Privacy protections and alignment with Sanctuary City values.
• Information security and the city’s ability to protect and manage data captured by speed safety cameras.
• Any data that may currently exist (or need to be collected) to clarify the scope and severity of the problem. The city maintains details on problem streets and intersections and may (or may not) have the ability to gather data from temporary speed reminder boxes or other existing speed reminder infrastructure.
• Resource requirements, particularly what level of staffing would be needed for both installation and management and whether current staff have capacity or whether added staff would be required.
• Potential revenue. State law limits use of revenue to, “construction, maintenance, and operations of traffic safety projects,” and “the cost to install and operate the cameras and administer the program.”
• Whether similar levels of speed reduction could be achieved through non-camera solutions such as improvements to streets and crossings or adjustments to problem roadways.
The referral notes that designing and implementing an effective speed safety camera program requires time and robust community engagement; therefore, it is in the City’s best interest to begin research as early as possible. With multiple pedestrian fatalities occurring in both 2025 and 2024, efforts to enhance safety, especially in areas near schools and parks, are increasingly urgent and cannot come quickly enough.
Climate Analysis:
This issue does not have a direct impact on climate.
Equity Analysis:
Pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries disproportionately impact children; seniors and people with disabilities and people who rely on walking, biking, and transit.
These groups bear the highest burden of unsafe speeding behavior.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Neighborhoods are increasingly concerned about speeding, cut-through traffic, and rising pedestrian risks that affect daily mobility and overall quality of life.
Financial Impact:
The financial impact is unknown as this time.
Options:
1. Move to add the topic of Speed Enforcement Cameras to the 2026 Community Livability and Public Safety Committee Work Plan.
2. Move to request staff to research issues and options to present a City Council Study session before deciding whether to refer the topic to a committee.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Referral
Speed Safety Camera Readiness Guide