Chef Geoff On The Warpath Against Speed Camera
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) --The dreaded speed camera.
Who among us hasn't opened the mail a found a heart-dropping message that we were doing 30 in a 25 and owe $125?
A famous local restaurant owner is fighting back. Chef Geoff Tracy says he's going to warn folks about the new camera near Foxhall Rd. and Whitehaven Parkway NW. He's hiring a guy to stand near the speed trap with a big sign warning "Speed Camera Ahead."
Tracy says he received three tickets in three days soon after the camera started issuing citations on the route between two of his restaurants. It cost him $425. "This is a lower one, 125 bucks. 38 in a 25, past the little camera right there."
Tracy owns five popular local restaurants and is about to open a sixth. He's one half of a Washington power couple. The other half: CBS Chief White House Correspondent Norah O'Donnell.
But he says this is not about him. "For one of my cooks or busboys, they have to work ten hours to pay that off."
The camera only started issuing tickets last month. Tons of people are still unaware it's there. "I just talked to three of my guests. They each got tickets. 125 dollars would buy a lot of food.... So I'm going to hire a guy with a sign to warn people."
Triple A says DC's addicted to the fines. It says the District pulled in more than $40 million last year just from the speed cameras.
But police insist they are working, slowing people down and saving lives.
The camera is right next to Mt. Vernon College and St. Patrick's Episcopal School. But neighbors say there are really very few pedestrians on this part of Foxhall Road.
They really wanted the traffic calming farther up, where there are a lot more houses -- and very pricey ones, too.
In Maryland, the speed camera fine is way less than in DC. Just $40. Virginia just has red light cameras, not speed cameras, and the fine is just $50.
Written and Reported by Bruce Leshan
9News Now & wusa9.com
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