“Only those who chose to speed through a school zone are paying for this” says Commissioner Branch

Several purchases that include a camera system to watch over local parks, a drone, radar signage and ballistic shields were given the thumbs up by the Cedartown City Commission during their Monday evening session.

City Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the purchases which are being funded via the money made from the RedSpeed cameras put up around Cedartown Middle and High School and went active last year, with at least $120,000 of the money leftover for future law enforcement purchases as well.

The money – which by state law can only be spent on public safety – has thus far since the system went active as the school year began have thus far decreased the number of speeders in the area, but also made around $243,000 for the city via fines and after RedSpeed takes their percentage for operating the cameras and handling the fines.

City Commissioners approved the purchases listed above with a no-more-than $125,000 can be spent condition put on the funding from the fines. The city will pay for the installation of 19 security cameras within several of the parks, radar signage to put around town, a drone commonly used by law enforcement and five ballistic shields meant to protect officers in a variety of situations where a suspect might be armed and dangerous.

The city expects the purchases to total around $117,500 when all is said and done, but gave an $8,000 leeway in case of price increases.

City Commissioner Sam Branch pointed out that the purchases aren’t being funded by taxpayers, but those who chose instead to ignore the flashing signs around Cedartown Middle and Cedartown High and speed through the school zones.

The only recurring cost the city will have in the purchases are for the continued operation of the security cameras going up at Peek Park, Turner Street Park, Bert Wood Youth and Athletic Complex, Tom Biggers Field and Goodyear Park. The city will spend over $60,000 for the initial installation and operation for a year, and then just over $50,000 for continued operations and maintenance handled by the company.

City Commissioners previously heard about the request from Police Chief Jamie Newsome during their May work session.