SALISBURY, Md.- Most of us are probably not fans of speed cameras. However, city of Salisbury officials said that those are in fact helping to pay for some local projects.
Some of those projects include putting up a fence around a police gun range on Goddard Parkway, which has been around for decades.
"Without the fence, the city has been exposed to some tremendous liability," said Salisbury Police Chief Barbara Duncan. "So this fence is going to offer notice to our public that is simply enjoying the environment and it is going to provide that notice so that our officers can train in relative safety out here."
Duncan said that the proposed 2,700-foot-long fence will help stop people and animals who accidentally end up wandering off on to the site when officers are busy shooting for practice.
Bill Harden's home isn't very far from where the shooting range is. He said he doesn't mind the loud noise that the practice range creates but he is concerned about someone he may know getting hurt. That's why he said the fence couldn't come any sooner.
"There is an area we call the pit and it's a large area," Harden explained. "And it has a drop off where a lot of people come and shoot, hunters go back there and hunt and off road vehicles go back there and ride."
Dick Powell, who is Harden's neighbor, said that while some other people he knows may disagree, having a speed camera to serve a purpose besides just giving a ticket is fine by him.
"The placement of these is needed and the money from this should go to a good project," Powell said.
Duncan said that the project is expected to cost around $40,000.
The city has already taken up a first reading to approve that money. It plans to take a final vote at its next council meeting.
(Photo: WBOC)
