Law enforcement officials from Liberty, Vienna and Weathersfield townships met Friday with Ohio Sen. Sandra O’Brien, R-Lenox, and state Rep. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, to discuss concerns over a newly proposed provision that would prohibit townships from operating a traffic camera program.

These departments expressed their support for the current law, which allows for hand-held traffic camera programs and called on Gov. Mike DeWine to exercise his veto power and remove the new provision through a line-item veto. The amendment, included in the latest transportation budget bill that was passed this week by the Ohio Senate, would ban townships, which are not protected by Ohio’s Constitutional Home Rule like cities and villages, from operating the cameras.

Vienna, Weathersfield, and Liberty police departments all operate a hand-held traffic program, which involves an on-site officer who oversees a speed camera that is triggered when a car is traveling 10 mph or more over the posted speed limit. O’Brien and Thomas acknowledged their support for these programs, which ensures that a law enforcement officer is there to understand the traffic patterns, weather conditions and other variables that may affect driving behavior.

“These programs are responsibly run, with a police officer present to witness each and every infraction, which is an important consideration that I think is being overlooked right now,” O’Brien said.

Liberty implemented its traffic camera program in 2016. Weathersfield has been using traffic cameras since late 2019 and Vienna started using them last summer to help shore up its general fund budget after it was placed in fiscal emergency by the state auditor in April 2024 because of a $1.3 million deficit.

“Public safety must always be the top priority, and we need to ensure that any initiative designed to reduce egregious speeding is implemented fairly and transparently. I believe hand-held programs are a responsible solution and resource for our law enforcement without further burdening law-abiding citizens,” Thomas said.

During the meeting, lawmakers listened to feedback from law enforcement leadership, who expressed their concerns about prohibiting their departments from continuing their traffic programs. Many officers highlighted the noticeable change in driver behavior in these enforced areas, noting that with the uptick in drug offenses and other more violent crime, traffic patrol often falls to the wayside.

“Utilizing this technology helps us control speed in areas that need it and allows us to be effective and efficient with our officers’ time,” said Liberty Police Capt. Ray Buhala, who oversees his department’s program. “We work these roads every day. We know our community’s needs inside out and out, as it is both our job and duty to ensure the safety of the general and motoring public.”

O’Brien and Thomas are urging DeWine to consider the impact of the provision on both law enforcement and the citizens they serve. “We will continue to fight for the best interests of our community and will work tirelessly with law enforcement to ensure that they have the tools to keep our roads safe in a responsible and fair manner,” O’Brien said.