Tidelines

Since the Board meeting and Get the Scoop session on Monday, September 19, we have heard more than a few expressions of interest and differing viewpoints about the possibility of speed cameras as a method of enforcement of the speed limits within the Seabrook Island Development. So we wanted to take an opportunity to let you know where things stand.

• In July 2016 the Board asked a consultant in safety and security to spend a few days observing how SIPOA works. Among the recommendations the consultant made were that we should strongly consider eliminating both traffic stops and pursuit as methods of enforcement for speed limits and other moving violation infractions to the Rules and Regulations. The consultant also suggested that we look into the use of movable speed cameras as an alternative to enforcement of speed limits.
• It is important to emphasize that no decision one way or the other has yet been made about whether to use speed cameras.
• In determining how to put the consultant’s recommendations in place, a committee established within the Board has drafted a number of recommendations that will be discussed in greater detail by the full Board of Directors in an upcoming Executive Session.
• In that session, we hope to get a sense of the Board’s reactions and a consensus on what makes sense for safety and security on Seabrook Island, taking into account the wide variety of visitors we have to accommodate. Again, however, no decision will be made in Executive Session and no votes will be taken.
• One of the ways to eliminate traffic stops is to install speed cameras. The kind that we have been considering are movable cameras using an internet connection and their locations established through GPS, and capturing location, speed and vehicle identification information in real time. The video would then be reviewed and determinations made about issuing citations for speeding.
• Speeding has been identified as a primary concern of property owners on surveys over the past decade.
• Our security consultant, as well as law enforcement professionals generally, identify ‘traffic stops’ as one of their most dangerous tasks because of the inevitable adversarial implications of the stop and the unpredictable nature of the personal interaction between the officer and the occupants of the vehicle that is stopped. While the situation here on Seabrook may not be as dangerous, we also know that our security officers are frequently exposed to aggressive and unruly responses when making a traffic stop.
• Additionally, pursuit is also a risky event because of the potential for increased speed and the attention that a pursuit often draws.
• There are several advantages to the use of speed cameras
  • The speed cameras we are investigating are portable: they can be set up in different locations on a single day, which promotes deterrence throughout the Island roadways.
  • Having our security officers use radar devices and then making traffic stops to cite violators for speeding has not significantly reduced speeding in our community because the vehicles and officers are readily identifiable and limited to one location.
  • Use of a mobile speed detection system frees up at least one security officer and a patrol vehicle for other duties and is much more cost-effective.
  • Other alternatives, such as speed bumps or humps, are generally opposed by a significant number of persons because of the potential for vehicle damage and the interference with normal driving.
• While there is a South Carolina statute that prohibits the use of speed cameras on publicly maintained roads, the statute was intended to prohibit local governmental agencies from setting up speed traps for profit, and does not apply to the private roads of Seabrook Island. We expect that a speed camera system that might be employed here would be cost-neutral, but it would not be employed as a tool to increase revenues, but only as a method of enforcement.

It is also important to remember that the speed camera alternative is only one of and complementary to a number of approaches to improving the overall safety, security and well-being of the members of our community, which is a responsibility that is given to the Board under the Covenants and Bylaws. After the Board has reached a consensus about how to proceed on this and other safety and security measures affecting the Seabrook Island Community, we then expect to make presentations available for public comment before adopting any new policies.

Please let us know if you have comments or questions.

 
– submitted by Janet Gorski, President, SIPOA Board of Directors

Meeting Minutes, August 31, 2016

Lake House Field Project

The Greenery has revised a new maritime planting at a cost of $373,000. The EC will review with the Board for further direction.

Waste Management/Recycling

Trash Issues have been improving. Monthly brown/white is doing well and has been well received. In answer to a member’s question, Charleston County has no paper shredding service at this time.

Rich Siegel has agreed to coordinate the Adopt a Highway program. The next one is scheduled for November 5. Volunteers welcomed.

Nature Trails

Most of the signage and repairs are finished. Green Space has asked SiPOA to perform a bi annual walk through each of their properties and to keep a log of any pertinent information from year to year. Continue reading →