Mayor Gary McCarthy’s Call for Expanded Automated Speed Cameras in Schenectady

Mayor Gary McCarthy has called for automated speed cameras to be installed beyond just school zones in Schenectady. The stated goal is to reduce speeding across the city and address the gap in municipal revenue caused by missing or declining sources of income.

While the move is being framed as a public safety measure, it also highlights how automation is increasingly shaping local government enforcement. Expanding camera use could help the city curb dangerous driving and generate additional funds, but it also raises questions about fairness, transparency, and how citizens experience city services in an age of automation.

As Schenectady explores these technologies, it must balance safety and revenue with accountability ensuring that enforcement remains just, accessible, and rooted in community trust.