VIDEO: Rep. Jeff Reardon Says Unmanned Speed Cameras Will Prevent Walking Deaths in East Portland

Jeff Reardon

Rep. Jeff Reardon (D-Happy Valley) tells WW he's proposing to change state law to allowed unmanned radar cameras to catch speeders because he wants to reduce pedestrian deaths in East Portland.

"Basically, my premise is kids walking to school, or people walking to get to their job or to get groceries, shouldn't have to worry quite so much about getting killed," Reardon says.

WW first reported Wednesday that Reardon is crafting legislation that would allow fixed radar cameras, which could slow traffic and raise millions of dollars from citations. (State law currently allows 10 cities, including Portland, to use photo radar vans, but a police officer must be inside.)

Reardon dropped by WW headquarters today for an endorsement interview in his re-election bid for House District 48, which includes parts of East Portland and Happy Valley. We took the opportunity to ask him about his speed-camera proposal.

In this video clip, he says he was "delighted" when Portland transportation officials drafted the proposal for him. And he tells WW how a letter from a grieving family motivated him to try to change the law.

WWeek 2015

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