265 tickets issued in 2 weeks: Elyria police crack down on speeders

ELYRIA, Ohio (WOIO) - Two weeks ago, the city of Elyria kicked off its full-time traffic unit and since then, cops have doled out 265 traffic tickets to drivers.

All 265 tickets were issued by patrol officers Anthony Camera and Josh Mason, officials say.

“Right before I did my interview with you, I saw an officer had someone pulled over right there so obviously they’re doing their job,” said Erik Hendershot, who lives in Elyria.

Many in the community told 19 News it’s a significant change from what they’re used to.

“You didn’t see any cops out there,” said Elyria resident Carol Smallwood. “They just recently started seeing the actual cop cars sitting out there lying in wait.”

“Coming down any street I’m always like damn I just saw three cops within like a mile, which is crazy,” said resident Porscha Evanov.

The increase in traffic tickets may sound like bad news but Hendershot said it’s an initiative he believes is long overdue.

“I myself have nearly been hit by someone who wasn’t there a split second ago,” Hendershot said.

Most of the violations happened in the Eastern Heights neighborhood near downtown.

64 of the tickets were given out in school zones.

“Yesterday I was on my way to an appointment coming down Abbe Road here, we’ve got a new school out in a couple years ago, new school speed zone and I saw someone speeding right past me and a cop sitting at the fire station got him right then and there,” said Hendershot.

But not everyone is psyched about the new enforcement initiative.

“I don’t think we have that much problem out here actually,” said Smallwood. “With the way they’ve rerouted the schools and things like that I don’t think they need to be cracking down on it as hard as they have been.”

“I’m sure it’s just a money grab, I mean, Lorain, Elyria, we know they’re kind of a poorer city, poorer community, it’s definitely just kind of a way to make some money, for sure,” said Evanov.

Elyria police recently assigned two officers to full time traffic and parking enforcement.

Residents can call Patrol Commander at 440-326-1305 or email Lt. Welsh at welsh@cityofelyria.org for enforcement requests.

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