Thursday morning, commuters on SE Stark Street encountered a Portland Police Bureau Photo Enforcement van parked near SE 78th Avenue. Drivers traveling over the posted speed limit of 20 miles per hour saw their speed displayed on the van-attached reader board and a flash. Once the vehicle passes the van, another flash triggers as the van presumably captures additional photos of the speeder’s rear license plate.
Traffic enforcement vehicles often park in front of Mr. Plywood, capturing people driving through the center of Montavilla’s historic downtown. Speeding between the traffic lights at SE 82nd and 76th Avenues has become more dangerous since road work temporarily removed high-visibility crosswalks at SE 80th Avenue. For many business owners and residents, speeding along SE Stark is a significant concern because it is a two-lane, one-way road that encourages efficient vehicle throughput at higher than posted speeds.
Portland is increasing the use of speed and red-light cameras across the city with three proposed additions in Montavilla along 82nd Avenue. Although the van’s placement could temporarily decrease speeding, a permanent installation is likely the only way to reduce dangerous driving without significant changes to the street’s design. Portland is seeing record-high traffic fatalities, with 2023 being the deadliest in the last three decades. Using vans like the one place on SE Stark Street and permanent traffic cameras could help reverse that trend, but additional tactics are likely needed.
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