Automated speed enforcement may be coming to Smithville school zones

January 17, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

Curbing speeding in school zones!

Although the Smithville Police Department does what it can using various enforcement techniques including the issuance of citations, speeding through school zones is a persistent problem.

In order to enhance enforcement during morning and afternoon school traffic while freeing up officers to concentrate on other duties, the City of Smithville has begun discussions with Blue Line Solutions, LLC of Chattanooga to eventually establish automated school zone photo (speed camera) enforcement at no cost to the city using laser-based LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology.

Similar to automated license plate readers, Blue Lines’ laser-based LiDAR technology provides precise automated speed enforcement, ensuring that only vehicles violating speed limits are cited. ASETs identify vehicles and capture their speed through the use of a laser beam. The cameras capture the tag number of vehicles traveling over the speed limit in school zones. Violators are then sent a citation in the mail. The penalty is a $50 fine but unlike a ticket issued by law enforcement agencies, the citation is considered a civil infraction and can’t go against a driver’s record or insurance. The city and Blue Line Solutions would split the revenues from payment of fines. The citations could still be challenged in the Smithville Municipal Court.

During a workshop Monday night, the mayor and aldermen met with Ryan Moore of Blue Line Solutions to learn more about the service.

Following the methodology of the successful “Click It or Ticket” campaign, Moore explained that Blue Line emphasizes the importance of public information and education combined with enforcement to change driving behaviors. Blue Line Solutions is dedicated to “strive for zero” – zero crashes, zero injuries, and zero fatalities, particularly in school zones.

Should the city enter into a contract (possibly for two years) with Blue Line Solutions, a traffic study would first be commissioned and funded by the city (estimated $15,000) and then Blue Line would reimburse the city. Moore provided results of a preliminary five-day traffic study which had already been done recently in the school zones on Highway 70 & 56 in Smithville.

Once another traffic study is conducted as required, Blue Line would install the technology including cameras, lights, and signage at the school zones on highway 70 at DCHS and DeKalb Middle School, on highway 56 near Northside Elementary School, and on highway 56 near the DeKalb Christian Academy. Blue Line would recoup its cost over time from the city’s share of fine proceeds.

“We will erect a photo enforced sign on every side street into a school zone and at the end of each school zone before you go in, we will put up a radar feedback sign on a 14-foot pole using LiDAR single beam technology. After they (motorists) pass that last sign, they will have between 300 and 600 feet to slow down. This will be lane specific meaning we will monitor both lanes going east and west on highway 70 & 56, so it catches everybody coming and going both ways,” said Moore.

In order to acclimate motorists to the new service, violators would receive a warning (by mail) for exceeding school zone speed limits for the first 30 days following the program’s start. After that, they would receive citations.

“We would put $225,000 into your infrastructure or $75,000 per school zone,” said Moore. “All the violations will come to us in Chattanooga. Our people are certified just as a dispatcher. A POST certified officer also has to review the citations. Tickets are then sent out by us and we collect and take care of all the money. On the 15th of every month you (city) will get a revenue report on how many people paid their fines,” said Moore.

“Our goal is to change driving habits,” explained Moore. “In Georgia, we have 300 cameras and cut speeding down by 94. 9% across the state last year”.

If the city enters into a contract with Blue Line Solutions, the service is not expected to be implemented until perhaps the start of the 2025-26 school year.

January 17, 2025
By:

DeKalb County author Braedon Jett will be signing copies of his latest book “The Hilarious History of Your Bathroom: Crazy Funny Facts for Curious Kids” on Thursday, January 30th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Justin Potter Library. His first book was “Did People Have Beds Just for Eating Food? The Hilarious History of Everything in Your Bedroom.

Braedon is an author and an avid history enthusiast. He is a 2020 graduate of DeKalb County High School and a resident of Smithville.

His books are meant to be not just entertaining, but educational as well. His hope is that kids will become as fascinated with the world around them as possible. This book is filled to the brim with exciting nonfiction short stories and vividly entertaining illustrations that will spark your child’s imagination and curiosity. Every chapter is an adventure through time and a discovery of the most fascinating things that have happened in the progress of everything from toilet paper, to hair gel, to toothbrushes.

Braedon is excited to announce and invite the community to Justin Potter Library where he will be signing his new book. The book will be available to purchase for $10.00.

For further information contact Justin Potter Library at 615-597-4359. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram or our website at www.dekalblibraries.net.

January 17, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

Make it nine!

During Thursday night’s annual appreciation dinner for city firefighters, the late Smithville Volunteer Firefighter and Deputy Chief Hoyte Hale was posthumously honored with the “Robert Eller Highest Attendance Award” as a volunteer. Hale, whose service with the department spanned 40 years, died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 29. It was the ninth time Hale had earned this honor, named in tribute to the late Robert Eller, who served the Smithville Fire Department as a member and assistant chief for 64 years until his death in 2009. The award goes to the volunteer who responds to the most incidents during the year. Although Hale passed away nine months into the year 2024, Fire Chief Charlie Parker said Hale still earned the honor for having attended more fire department incidents, trainings, and events over any other department member.

Hale’s sons and daughter in law, Devin and Quentin Hale and Myrie received the award Thursday night, presented by Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker and Hale’s successor as Deputy Chief Jeff Wright.

“We can’t say enough about Hoyte,” said Chief Parker. “We have had a hard time adjusting to his passing, each one of us in our own way. It has affected our department, not just for the members but the way we operate and do things. We didn’t realize how much to start with but since going to a few fire calls and meetings, we have really started seeing the impact Hoyte had on our department. We always counted on Hoyte to be there. If we had a house fire Hoyte was always there. We want his family to understand how much Hoyte meant to the Smithville Fire Department and the citizens of Smithville,” said Chief Parker.

Meanwhile Dalton Roberts received the “Robert Eller Award” for attending the most incidents, trainings, workings, and events as a career (paid) firefighter. Roberts also received the career training award for having put in 135 training hours, the most of any other career firefighter.  In addition, Roberts claimed the first ever” Hoyte Hale Firefighter of the Year” award given to the firefighter who goes above and beyond to help others and better the department. This award was presented to Roberts by the department and members of Hale’s family.

“When Hoyte passed away we wanted to do something to honor him so we are starting the “Hoyte Hale Award”. “This award is in honor of Hoyte for his 40 years of dedication and service to the Smithville Fire Department. This award is to recognize a firefighter who goes the extra effort, extra step, to help others, to help our department grow and help our community to be better,” said Chief Parker.

The top training award for a volunteer went to Joseph Taylor, who also put in 135 training hours.

Chief Parker presented a 50-year lifetime service award to William “Wink” Brown, who has been a volunteer with the Smithville Fire Department for 27 years but has dedicated his life and service to fire departments here and other places for 50 years.

“I started in 1974 with the Williamson County Rescue Squad, “said Brown. “In 1987 I started the Arrington Fire Department. Two years into that I spent 12 years on the State Fire Fighting Commission, and I joined here in 1998,” said Brown.

Chief Parker recognized member Mark Riggsee for his service to the department.

The Smithville Fire Department is made up of four career (full time paid firefighters) including Chief Charlie Parker, Dalton Roberts, Glenn Lattimore, and Ryan Evans along with almost 30 volunteers. Members of the department were recognized and presented certificates for their years of service.

Chief Parker highlighted several fire department achievements during the year including Dalton Roberts’ having received his EMT certification. Sean Hatch also earned his EMT certification and completed his basic fire training. Seth Wright became certified as an instructor and John Poss and Dalton Roberts earned their FF1 Fire Commission certification. Chief Parker said the department as a whole responded to 249 incidents and there were 54 trainings and 8 events involving the department.

A badge pinning ceremony was observed for members Jeff Wright, promoted to Deputy Chief and to firefighters Jayden Mitchell, Max Lahoda, Daine Powell, Joseph Taylor, Mackenley Turner, and Ryan Evans.

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