The Colorado Springs Police Department’s latest stride in surveillance-based enforcement will benefit public safety while upholding our civil liberties. That’s because the two new radar-ready vehicles that began patrolling portions of the city Monday are targeting priority locations to not only curb reckless speeding but also counter other crimes affecting those areas acutely.

The Gazette reported last week the CSPD’s Automated Vehicle Identification (AVIS) technology is part of the department’s $1.4 million Red Light Safety Camera Program, featuring nearly two dozen cameras at intersections spanning the city. 

The public at times is wary of innovations such as red-light safety cameras or the department’s two new vehicles, which are effectively red-light cams on-the-go and with greater capabilities. Some are concerned about law enforcement overreach. Or, that the technology is about raising revenue, collaring otherwise law-abiding motorists for driving slightly above the limit.

But the technology is really about basic public safety. The department says the vehicles, by state law, have the exclusive assignment of patrolling four specific areas: school zones, roads bordering municipal parks, neighborhoods and construction zones. Of the aforementioned areas, school zones will be an emphasis during morning drop-off and pickup, as the city will target school zones with worse speeding issues more frequently while also getting to the several hundred zones in the Springs at least once.

The mechanism of the technology seems simple and reliable, relying on a department-hired civilian in the roaming vehicles to follow-up on one of the 22 red-light cams flagging vehicles speeding at least 10 miles-per-hour above the listed limit. One of the CSPD’s radars is for speed and one is for vehicle ID.

The department says drivers will be alerted to the technology’s enforcement zones via blue signs under speed-limit signs at least 300 yards ahead of the enforcement zone. There also will be a review process based on the radar data and imagery before drivers deemed to have violated the law will be mailed a $45 citation, bumped up to $85 for school and construction zones, within 30 days, along with a photo of their license plate and a video of the incident. The police also are easing into the use of the technology at the start of the new year, with a 30-day grace period through the end of January.

Some may be skeptical at assurances by Lt. Jason Newton that the technology is “not a money-maker.” In reality, the point of the fines is to effectively disincentivize dangerous driving in these areas. That can’t happen without consistent consequences.

There have been five local traffic fatalities involving a pedestrian so far this year alone. There were seven last year. Speeding near schools, construction zones and along roads bordering public parks contribute to the risk.

Speeding also is often involved in other crimes, such as car and property theft and gang activity. 

If anything, Colorado Springs law enforcement could do even more to enforce speed limits. This latest development, at least, is a smart step in the right direction.