ANSONIA – The police department wants to crack down on speeding by putting automated cameras around town.
Ansonia Police Chief Wayne Williams has been updating the Board of Aldermen on a potential speed cam program since January. On April 14, he said the department is still in talks with a third-party company to sign a contract.
“Speeding is a problem. It is a problem, so we’re trying to address it (in) a multitude of ways. It’s not a magic elixir, it’s not a magic wand. Putting them up does not make everybody stop speeding, but it will help reduce the problem,” Williams said.
The program would come at no cost to the city, with the company recouping its costs by taking a cut of the fines police issue.
The police department initially identified “six or seven” streets where the cameras could go, Williams said, but later narrowed it down to “two areas of concern where you both have a lot of vehicles and a lot of violations.”
He said one of the spots being considered is Pershing Drive, near the spot where four people were injured in a car crash last month.
A potential deal is in early stages. The Board of Aldermen would need to approve an ordinance to allow the program, and hold a public hearing. The department would also need to get approval from the state department of transportation.
In Derby, officials are considering a similar proposal. Derby officials are talking with DARCA, which is the leading provider of speed cam programs in the state. The state began allowing cities to operate speeding cameras in 2023.
State law sets guidelines and restrictions on the programs.
Fines, for example, are capped at $50 for a first offense and $75 for subsequent offenses. Cities cannot issue fines until the cameras have been installed for at least 30 days.
In addition, a police officer would review violations before issuing a warning or fine.
Money generated from fines first goes to paying the vendor. After that, state law says the money has to go toward certain transportation and safety improvements.
The speed camera programs are strong revenue generators for municipalities. The CT Mirror reported Middletown collected $1.8 million in fines between July and December of 2025. The News-Times of Danbury reported the Town of Washington issued $334,725 in fines between May and July of 2025.
Williams said the contract the police department is considering looks a lot like the ones other cities have signed.
“It will be a very similar contract to what other municipalities already have that are in place. I don’t want to say it’s cookie-cutter, but it follows what the state statute is,” Williams said.
After the department signs a contract, the city’s corporation counsel would need to draft an ordinance. The Aldermanic ordinance subcommittee could then schedule a public hearing and a meeting, before sending it to the full Board of Aldermen for a vote.
Donate.Valley.Indy.org during The Great Give May 6 and May 7.