LANSING, Mich., Aug. 19, 2021 — State Rep. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) introduced legislation this week to allow speeding enforcement via cameras in response to community concerns about dangerous speeding on the streets of Lansing. Anthony’s bill, House Bill 5284, was referred to the House Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support.
Reckless driving, drag racing and speeding in major corridors have been a problem for many years in mid-Michigan, usually reaching a peak in the summer months. Yet despite these continued issues, the Lansing Police Department has reported a significant decrease in police traffic stops in 2020 due to a variety of factors ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic and officer shortages to ongoing conversations about appropriate use of police. The city has increased efforts this summer to bolster public safety efforts and target speeding on high traffic streets, such as MLK Boulevard and Mt. Hope Road, but according to local and state officials, it continues to be a common complaint among Lansing residents.
“Over the last year and a half, we’ve seen a renewed interest in reimagining public safety, from both elected officials and residents alike,” said Anthony. “My bill would provide local municipalities and law enforcement agencies with an additional innovative tool to help keep our community safe without increasing the number of officers on the street.”
Local officials across the board have also recognized the need for a policy response to speeding and traffic safety issues.
“I applaud and thank Rep. Anthony’s for her efforts to change state law to allow for speeding enforcement via cameras in Michigan,” said Councilmember At-Large Carol Wood. “This will help keep our community safer and give law enforcement another tool. This very topic has come up in many neighborhood meetings throughout Lansing. Let’s move the bill forward and make Lansing a safer community.”
Lansing Third Ward City Council Member Adam Hussain expressed similar support, commenting, “I am thrilled that Rep. Anthony has heard the calls from residents and officials alike to allow for speed enforcement via cameras in the state of Michigan and has introduced a related bill. The need for objectivity in traffic enforcement, coupled with the issues we’re seeing across the state with recruiting and retaining police officers, makes it absolutely necessary to provide communities with another tool to keep people safe. I encourage bipartisan support of this all-important effort.”