New Cameras To Watch Old Cameras Coming to Pr. George's

More cameras could be coming to roadways in Prince George’s County.

But instead of catching speeders, these cameras will be watching the cameras meant to catch speeders.

WTOP reports that officials in Prince George’s County hope to roll out some 40 cameras that will be placed to watch speed cameras—the goal being to protect them from being vandalized.

Since April, police in Prince George’s County have documented six people damaging speed cameras, including an April 6 incident where someone shot a camera near Route 301 in Upper Marlboro, according to WTOP.

After all, police said, speed cameras need protection too.

"It costs us $30,000 to $100,000 to replace a camera. That's a significant loss in the program,” Maj. Robert V. Liberati told WTOP. “Plus it also takes a camera off the street that operates and slows people down. So there's a loss of safety for the community.”

County officials near schools in communities across the county. During a County Council meeting debating the cameras, residents protested, but the cameras began popping up and snapping photos of speeders this year.

Liberati told WTOP that cameras themselves can't be used for security because under Maryland law speed cameras can only take pictures of speeding.