RICHLAND, Wash. – The Richland City Council is considering the expansion of automated traffic enforcement as they explore the potential addition of more speed and red-light cameras in the city.
During a meeting, councilmembers heard a detailed presentation regarding the expansion of traffic cameras. No final decision has been made on their installation yet.
City staff explained that changes made by the state legislature in 2024 have broadened the areas where cities can use automated traffic enforcement. Under current state law, Richland could install one camera per 10,000 residents in designated areas such as school zones, park zones, hospital zones, roadwork areas, and state highways that function as city streets.
The primary focus of the initiative would be on speed cameras, with the possibility of adding red-light cameras in the future. Privacy protections were also discussed, including strict limits on the usage and retention of images and data, as well as public reporting and signage requirements.
Councilmember Kurt Maier expressed a strong desire for strict terms if the plan moves forward. “We’ve created one eternal unblinking panopticon with FLOCK, and I want ironclad text in this agreement if we go forward with it that we’re not creating another one. If we do this, it needs to be traffic safety. and the data needs to be locked down,” said Maier.
City staff emphasized that the goal is to change driver behavior and strategically place cameras where crash data and speed studies indicate they would have the greatest impact.
No official decision was made during the meeting. If the council decides to proceed, the next step would involve drafting and voting on an ordinance at a future meeting before any cameras could be installed.
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