The Board of Selectmen on April 10 approved the Town of Greenwich's automated traffic enforcement safety device plan for 10 school zones and authorized staff to include the approval in the town's state permit application.

Police Chief James Heavey said the initiative is intended to reduce speeding around schools and is governed by state law. He said the town's vendor, True Blue, conducted traffic studies at targeted locations and the town has submitted an application to the state under Public Act 22-136. "It's not to generate finances. It's not, to do anything other than create a safety, environment around schools," Heavey said.

Heavey told the board that recent local enforcement activity corresponded with declines in collisions: "In so far this month in April, we've had a 51% increase in our traffic enforcement due to a couple of grants we had. And in the same period, we had a reduction of accidents by 43%." He also summarized prior-month figures: a 4% increase in enforcement and an 18% reduction in accidents.

The chief said the town expects the state to issue a permit within about 60 days, allowing equipment to be installed before the start of the school year; the first 30 days of operation would be warning-only, followed by citation issuance. He noted that automated devices will enforce the posted speed for the school-zone condition in effect at the time (for example, reduced limits during school hours).

Andre Greco of True Blue and Sergeant J.D. Smith were present to answer technical questions. Board members said the public notice and prior conversations satisfied the state's public-hearing requirements.

The board closed the public hearing and approved the plan by unanimous vote. The board asked staff to include the minutes of the April 10 meeting with the state application.

The town said it will accompany deployment with public outreach and signage; initial signs at either end of enforcement zones are intended to encourage drivers to slow before cameras begin issuing warnings or citations.

The vote and the plan documentation will be forwarded to the Connecticut authority that reviews municipal automated enforcement permit applications.