EAST PROVIDENCE — The first two safety cameras went live last week at the intersections of North Broadway and Roger Williams Avenue in Rumford and Broadway and Grosvenor Avenue in the center of the city, the start of the latest action by elected officials and the East Providence Police Department to cut down on speeding at a number of main thoroughfares.

The 30-day warning period ended on Tuesday, Feb. 22, and the cameras became active the following day, February 22. According to reports of the EPPD, nearly 445 notifications were issued to motorists who were photographed going beyond the posted speed limit.

The issuance of $85 fines for running through a red light intersection began as the cameras were activated for real last week.

The other intersections planned to have the same speed camera setups, though not imminently, include:

• Pawtucket Avenue and Warren Avenue
• Pawtucket Avenue and Taunton Avenue
• Broadway and Warren Avenue
• Pawtucket Avenue and Veterans Memorial Parkway
• Newport Avenue and Ferris Avenue
• Wampanoag Trail and Mink Street
• Highland Avenue and Catamore Blvd.
• Taunton Avenue and Purchase Street

Originally suggested by administration of Mayor Bob DaSilva in early 2021 and subsequently approved by the City Council, the city contracted Sensys Gatso Group for cameras. The process also included support work from Verizon and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

The EPPD also credited a similar camera system with assisting in the apprehension of the two suspects associated with the recent theft at the TD Bank Branch on Newport Avenue.

The Flock Safety system gave investigators “valuable, actionable information from the system that played a pivotal role in solving these robberies,” the EPPD wrote. Both suspects in the February 8 robbery were from Providence.

When the remaining devices join the two at the Broadway intersections as active remains unknown, however.

“Right now we have no schedule as to when the other cams will be turned on. They are still in the planning phase by the company which involves state approval,” EPPD Chief Chris Francesconi said.

Similar to the Broadway cameras, Francesconi explained when a new intersection is equipped with a camera there will be a 30-day warning period for each intersection, meaning motorists once again will not be ticketed immediately.

“We will put something out on social media when an intersection comes on line,” the chief added. “Right now none are close.”

The intersection safety cameras becoming operational follow a similar endeavor undertaken by the city and the police department in front of schools on state roads.

Back on January 3, the EPPD began issuing fines of $50 per violation at St. Mary Academy-Bay View (3070 Pawtucket Ave.); Kent Heights School (2680 Pawtucket Ave.); Riverside Middle School (179 Forbes St.); St. Margaret School (42 Bishop Ave.); East Providence High School (2000 Pawtucket Ave.).

Enforcement and fines on state roads are subject to the jurisdiction of the Rhode Island General Law set by the General Assembly.

Unlike the intersection safety cameras, those on state roads at schools are only operational during school hours, days and the term: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and from the beginning of classes in late August until they end in June. They’re also down during in-term vacation periods, such as the just completed February mid-winter recess and the upcoming April spring break.