“With this tool for calming and securing public space, the City is continuing its action in favor of public peace and road safety,” writes the town hall of Crépy-en-Valois on Facebook. From Wednesday January 15, the video-verbalization comes into force at Crépy-en-Valois. Motorists just have to behave. This system makes it possible to observe and sanction offenses remotely, thanks to a network of cameras.
The video ticketing will concern offenses related to parking, stop signs, traffic lights, prohibited directions, using the telephone while driving, as well as illegal dumping.
Operation is simple. The registration plate of an offending vehicle is photographed, a report is then drawn up by a sworn agent, and the ticket is sent to the holder of the registration document. This system operates in real time and does not allow for verbalization a posteriori.
A sign indicates this device at the entrance to the town.
Respond to residents’ demand
After numerous complaints from residents of Crépy-en-Valois, the municipality decided to strengthen its control systems. “We received too much feedback regarding prohibited parking and vehicles on the sidewalks,” explains Gilles Bouttier, head of the municipal police. We cannot mobilize a patrol exclusively for this problem.
This system of 51 cameras will be spread all around the Sainte-Agathe municipal park. It will not only be used to punish traffic violations. Their images can also be used as evidence for any crime committed on public roads. Such as burglaries or damage to public equipment.
A €600,000 operation
The town hall believes and puts the resources into this system. A sworn municipal police officer will constantly monitor the city’s cameras.
The installation of more than fifty cameras will have cost the municipality €600,000 excluding taxes. The city hopes that this will bear fruit and influence the people of Crépy in the long term to no longer break traffic laws.
