Speed detection devices officially adopted in November meeting

News
Gilmer County BOC, Intergovernmental Agreement, session, Meeting, Board, speed

ELLIJAY, Ga. – With the official final adoption of the speed detection devices ordinance in the county happening today, Gilmer Sheriff Stacy Nicholson and the Sheriff’s Office will implement devices in the school zones on Yukon Road, Clear Creek Road, and Highway 282.

Going through an extensive process that first saw major public attention with the Gilmer County Board of Education back in July, 2021, the speed detection devices were presented at the BOE to deal with continued complaints over these areas during high traffic times when school starts and ends.

Nicholson called the area an “enforcement issue” in July and laid out plans to deal with the issue through these devices. The idea has seen some question the plan, but not on enforcement or timing. Instead, the voiced concerns in meetings of the BOC as they have presented the ordinance has been on the personal information collected by the cameras.

Nicholson stated in July that he hoped that the vast majority of citizens would be reached and well informed via social media, news media, county meetings, and other methods well before implementation. And the office has pursued that goal as both Sheriff Nicholson and Major Michael Gobble have been at meetings sharing information and answering questions. Gobble was the officer present at the BOC’s public hearing on the topic and answered questions on personal information.

Maj. Gobble said that the camera will not capture information from every car that drives through the zone. Not only will they only be active twice a day, once at the beginning and once at the end of each school day, but they will only capture information when triggered by a speed violation.

The Sheriff’s Office has explained that the information is collected by a company and is sent to the Sheriff’s Office where a School Resource Officer will review and verify the violation and return it to the company to issue a civil fine.

When the information is collected it is stored on file until the fine is resolved. All of this information is protected under Federal Law and not to be sold or released. Governed in the same way that law enforcement agencies are regulated to handle the same information.

Now, the county has heard its second reading of the ordinance. Chairman Charlie Paris stated in the BOC meeting today, “I’m going to make a motion that this be adopted based on the assurances that it would only be operational for the morning and afternoon drop-offs and not a regular full time thing.”

County Attorney David Clark told the board that the times would be an operational issue between the board and the Sheriff’s Office, not necessary in the ordinance. Chairman Paris then adjusted saying it would be an operational issue that he would enforcement as long as the other two board members approved of it. Seconded by Post 1 Commissioner Hubert Parker, the motion carried unanimously.

Originally, Sheriff Nicholson was shooting to have the speed detection devices implemented on all three roads around October. With the process now finished, these devices can go up any day now. With school out next week for Thanksgiving, there is only three weeks left before the December 17 final day of the Fall Semester and the start of the Winter Holidays.

Data collection questioned as county approves advertising for Speed Cameras

News

EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – Traffic devices and data collection are taking the next step toward a Fall implementation as they were approved for advertisement in the County Commission.

data

An example of cameras used for traffic surveillance.

However, approval only came for advertisement as the Board of Commissioners raised discussion on privacy in the traffic cameras usage. Chairman Charlie Paris was the first to make the note as he said he was wanting to set it so that the collection of photos or information for anyone not being pursued for speeding would be deleted.

“I believe that it would be essential that that data be eliminated within a specific period of time. If it is one that is not being flagged for speeding, there would be no reason for anybody to maintain that particular data,” said Paris.

Acknowledging the importance that many people place on privacy and date like this, Paris said he wanted this stipulation for approval.

As discussion continued, the question arose about who is collecting the data. As noted during the Board of Education meeting, County Attorney David Clark confirmed that the Sheriff’s Office is contracting with a company for collection. Sheriff Nicholson also stated in the previous BOE meeting that he would have those flagged for speeding sent through a Sheriff’s Deputy, likely a Student Resource Officer, to be approved before the company would mail out a citation.

shooter, speed

Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson

These speed cameras will be established in three areas; Mountainview Elementary School on Highway 282, Clear Creek Middle School on Clear Creek Road, and Clear Creek Elementary School on Yukon Road. The county’s approval is needed for Clear Creek and Yukon roads.

The scenario will play out as someone speeds through the area, the captured infractions are sent to a local appointed officer, which Nicholson said will likely be a SRO (School Resource Officer). That officer reviews the infractions and makes sure there are no mistakes, then the company will send out tickets to those the officer approves.

Within the county’s BOC meeting, the board considered that it would be the company that they would need to put the restriction on. Due to this, Clark suggested that the approval go for beginning the process and pursuing advertising. He noted that the county will have to approve a contract with the company and could debate the restriction at that time.

With unanimous approval, the project is proceeding, but it was understood that the county would be looking at restrictions on the data during the contracting as they work alongside Sheriff Nicholson for the process.

During the discussion, Post Commissioner Hubert Parker also suggested that they look at other government entities and how they handle the data through speed and traffic cameras such as those at traffic lights.

Back to Top