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Crime & Safety

Bowie Police Install Two New Speed Cameras

Cameras on Old Chapel Road and Race Track Road will monitor vehicles outside schools.

The Bowie Police Department installed two new speed cameras, one on Old Chapel Road near and Samuel Ogle Middle School and the other on Race Track Road near on Friday July 29.

“The purpose of the Safe Speed Program is to change the behavior of drivers in the city of Bowie and gain compliance with existing speed limits,” according to a police department statement.

Police Chief John Nesky said he’s been pleased with how well the cameras seem to be slowing people down around schools where the cameras are already in place. Based on anecdotal evidence he’s witnessed, Nesky said he sees “people hitting their breaks” on Annapolis Road near and .

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The number of citations supports Nesky’s observations. From Jan. 17 when the cameras were installed on Annapolis Road to Feb. 17, 12,224 citations were issued. During the month of July, the number decreased to 5,671, Nesky said.

Like the other speed cameras in Bowie, the two newest cameras will be active from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and will trigger when cars go more than 12 mph over the speed limit. Citations are $40 and do not affect driving records.

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From July 29 through Aug. 2, 88 citations were issued near on Old Chapel Road, 170 were written near Whitehall Elementary on Old Chapel Road and 48 were written near Yorktown Elementary on Race Track Road, Officer Jason Thomas said.

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