Speed-detection cameras installed and active in Portales

Speed-detection cameras are active around school zones in the city of Portales, with a “grace period” in place until April 19.

After the grace period, drivers will be charged $100 for speed-limit violations.

Last year, Portales Police Chief Chris Williams presented an automated traffic enforcement study to the Portales City Council that showed drivers in the city aren’t too compliant when it comes to obeying posted speed limits.

“This is an additional measure that our police department is taking to keep our community safe,” said City Manager Sarah Austin. “I’m excited that we have this opportunity to slow people down.”

The Portales Police Department posted the following on its Facebook page:

“The locations aren’t secret, we want you to slow down so you don’t get violations and to keep our public safe. They are located on Globe in our Valencia Elementary school zone, about University and 16th Streets. And in our Jr. High school zone along Abilene around 6th and 4th Streets. These are easy to see and not hidden.”

NovoaGlobal is the company that installed the cameras. Police Chief Chris Williams said it’s a cost-neutral program.

“This system pays for itself and no city funds are used for it,” Austin said.

The city will receive funds from violations, as will the state and NovoaGlobal.

Citations will go directly to the registered vehicle owner. Those in violation can expect to receive a letter in the mail about a week after the violation.

After a video of the speeding driver is taken, it will be reviewed by an officer to determine if the driver was really speeding, and by how much. Or, if the vehicle was an emergency vehicle, officials have said.

“My goal is to slow people down,” Williams said to the City Council in May. “I’m not looking to pinch pennies out of people.”

Austin said city officials are considering speed-detection cameras on the highway through town, but that requires state approval. She said Williams has a meeting with the New Mexico Department of Transportation in May to consider that possibility.