Prince Frederick, MD – A request to use $76,200 from money that comes from motorists caught on camera driving over the speed limit in school zones was denied on a split vote by the Calvert County Commissioners during the board’s Tuesday, Sept. 18 meeting. According to a memo from Calvert County Assistant Sheriff Lt. Col. Dave McDowell, the funds are needed to replace technology equipping the agency’s mobile command vehicle (MCV).

Two commissioners—President Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr. [R – District 3] (pictured, right) and Pat Nutter [R – District 2]—voted against the request. Commissioners Mike Hart [R – District 1] and Steve Weems [R – At large] voted in favor of the transfer of funds. Commissioners’ Vice President Tom Hejl [R – At large] is ailing and was not present at the meeting. Coincidentally, Hejl played a major role back in 2007 in obtaining the mobile command vehicle when he was assistant sheriff. The agency was awarded a $748,240 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to purchase the vehicle, which is roughly the size of a motor coach, and its associated computers and communications equipment.

“The current technology on the MCV is now obsolete,” McDowell stated in the memo. He added that sheriff’s office staff, county government Technology Services staff and private vendors identified replacement technology for the MCV. “This comprehensive, all-inclusive technology upgrade will cost $76,200,” McDowell stated. “As such, the sheriff is requesting funds from the ‘Safety Camera Program’ to cover the cost of this project.” McDowell stated in the memo that there is “approximately $600,000 of unbudgeted speed camera revenues collected to date.”

“I see no coordination with [Department of] Public Safety,” said Slaughenhoupt in explaining his reason for not supporting the request. “These are not sheriff’s office funds.”

“I think I agree with Commissioner Slaughenhoupt,” said Nutter, (pictured above) a retired sheriff’s deputy who has frequently expressed concerns about the potential intrusiveness of law enforcement technology, such as speed cameras and license tag readers. Previously, Slaughenhoupt had been adamant that since the cameras were installed in various school zones as part of the Safety for Student Program that the revenues be coordinated for all the county’s public safety divisions and agencies.

Slaughenhoupt predicted the issue would return to the commissioners for another vote once the mandated coordination has taken place.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com