Pacific turns on traffic safety cameras with 30-day warning period

Pacific, Washington has started a new photo enforcement program aimed at slowing drivers in school and park speed zones, beginning with a 30-day warning period. The city says the cameras are meant to reduce preventable crashes and injuries in areas with pedestrians and children.

Why it matters: - Pacific is using automated speed enforcement to target crash risk in places with children and other vulnerable road users. - The city is starting with warnings, not fines, to give drivers time to adjust before penalties begin. - Civil penalties and camera reviews are designed to create more consistent enforcement in designated speed zones.

What happened: - The City of Pacific, Washington launched a new photo enforcement program on October 2, 2026, using technology from NovoaGlobal®. - The program began with a 30-day warning period for the city’s new traffic safety cameras. - Pacific Police Department Lieutenant Terry Carter said the city’s focus is protecting residents and families by encouraging slower driving in high-risk areas. - Traffic safety cameras are active in the public park speed zone on the 300 block of 3rd Avenue SW, both westbound and eastbound near Interurban Trail Park. - Additional school speed zone cameras are planned for the 100 block of Milwaukee Boulevard N northbound and the 300 block of Milwaukee Boulevard N southbound near Alpac Elementary School.

The details: - Under City of Pacific Ordinance No. 2024-2092 and Pacific Municipal Code Chapter 10.70, automated traffic safety camera fines apply in designated public park and school speed zones. - In public park speed zones, violations of 6 to 9 mph over the speed limit carry a $100 fine. - In public park speed zones, violations of 10 mph or more over the speed limit carry a $145 fine. - School speed zone fines are double the public park speed zone fines. - In school speed zones, violations of 6 to 9 mph over the speed limit carry a $200 fine. - In school speed zones, violations of 10 mph or more over the speed limit carry a $290 fine. - During the 30-day warning period, drivers who violate the speed limit receive a warning notice with no monetary penalty. - After the warning period, payable Notices of Infraction will be issued for violations. - The city says the phased rollout gives motorists time to learn the new enforcement locations and adjust driving behavior. - Traffic studies and location analyses under Washington State Law RCW 46.63.220 supported the need for enhanced safety measures in school and public park speed zones. - The city’s analysis considered vulnerable road users and evidence of speeding when selecting camera locations. - Authorized City personnel will review and verify all potential violations before any Notice of Infraction is issued. - These are civil violations and will not be reported to insurance companies or added to a driver’s record. - The monitoring system captures photos and videos of vehicles exceeding the speed limit in designated enforcement zones. - If a violation occurs, the registered owner receives a Notice of Infraction from the Pacific Police Department. - Photo evidence will appear on the notice, and all photo and video evidence will be available online at Zero Fatality for review. - During the initial warning period, the notice will be stamped “WARNING.”

Between the lines: - Pacific is signaling that the program is as much about behavior change as punishment. - The city is placing the program in areas where speeding can directly affect pedestrians, children, and park users. - The civil-only structure lowers the stakes for drivers compared with criminal or insurance-reportable traffic offenses.

What’s next: - The warning period will end after 30 days, and infraction notices with fines will begin. - The city’s planned school-zone camera locations may expand enforcement beyond the initial park-zone sites. - Drivers can review more information at the city’s website.