New traffic cameras catch 97 violations in the first week

The city's new traffic cameras caught 97 violations during their first week of official operation, police said Monday.

The cameras - at three fixed locations and a mobile unit that's moved as needed - went operational last month for testing. The 30-day “grace period” ended March 14, and the city has begun mailing violation notices to the owners of cars whose license plates were recorded by the cameras.

Police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said the camera at First Avenue and 10th Street E recorded 22 violations, the one at Second Avenue and 10th Street SE caught 29, and the Second Avenue and Sixth Street SW camera recorded nine.

The mobile camera recorded 37 speeding violations between 7 a.m. and just after 10 a.m. Friday. During a 90-minute period Monday, the camera recorded 142 violations along Interstate 380, all at least 11 mph over the speed limit.