Some citizens in Hawkesbury continue to object town council’s consideration of installing Automatic Speed Enforcement (ASE/photo radar) cameras on municipal streets.
At the Tuesday, November 12 council meeting, resident Jacques Léveillé appeared before council to explain his objection to the idea. On October 15, council adopted a bylaw designating all municipal roads a Community Safety Zone, which allows for speeding and other traffic fines to be doubled. Council adopted the bylaw as a measure to reduce excessive speed by drivers on Hawkesbury’s streets. The bylaw allows for ASE cameras to be installed, but council has not decided yet to proceed with the cameras.
“I consider this an unnecessary expense because we already have police, who cost us a lot, whose duty it is to keep municipal streets safe,” Léveillé said.
He added there are other options council should consider instead. Those are increased police patrols, speed bumps, and more school crossing guards.
Léveillé questioned if ASE cameras would even bring in sufficient revenue for the Town of Hawkesbury, due to its small population.
“There are more electric bicycles than vehicles on our deserted streets in the evening,” he remarked.
Léveillé expressed concern that ASE cameras could send an unwelcoming message to visitors to Hawkesbury and affect the local economy if it keeps tourists and shoppers away.
Policing costs are increasing by 4.5 per cent for the Town of Hawkesbury in 2025. Léveillé said the increase should require the police to demonstrate they are responsible for public safety.
Léveille also said that at $40,000 each, the cameras are too expensive, and he said there would be extra costs associated with construction, installation, and maintenance. He also criticized the expense based on the likely 9.5 per cent tax levy increase council may approve in the 2025 budget. Half of that increase is due to the increased cost of services from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
“It’s expensive, it’s another expense we don’t need,” remarked Léveillé.
Following Léveillé’s presentation, Mayor Robert Lefebvre assured Léveillé and the other 19 citizens in the audience that council had not approved the acquisition of ASE cameras and Léveillé had raised some good points. Lefebvre said ASE is only something being considered.
Chief Administrative Officer Sam Cardarelli said municipal staff are compiling the risks and advantages of ASE and the information will be shared with council and the public before a decision is made.
“We will continue to keep you informed,” Lefebvre said and assured the audience of transparency in decision making.
Councillor Jeanne Charlebois said enforcement cameras are just one option for improved traffic safety.
Councillor Yves Paquette emphasized citizens will always be consulted and no decision has been made to allow the cameras. He urged people to contact him with their questions and opinions.
