Long Beach to Launch Speed‑Camera Pilot Amid Rising Pedestrian Fatalities

Another pedestrian was struck and killed in Long Beach last week, adding to a year that may become one of the deadliest on record for people on foot.

Speed Cameras: A Proposed Pilot to Protect Pedestrians

The Long Beach City Council is slated to vote this week on a five‑year “Speed Safety System” pilot that would place 18 speed cameras across the city. The plan targets high‑risk intersections such as Ocean Boulevard and Pacific Avenue, where speeding has been linked to serious and fatal crashes. Officials say the cameras would be installed in areas identified on a city map that shows persistent speeding and past pedestrian fatalities.

Community Voices: Families Demand Change

Advocates who have lost loved ones to traffic violence argue that the cameras cannot come soon enough. “Everyone who lives around here knows — if you have little kids, don’t let them walk around here,” said Samantha Acosta, a Long Beach resident who lives near Anaheim Boulevard, one of the streets slated for a camera.

Grandma Beverly, who co‑founded SoCal Families for Safe Streets after the loss of her 5‑year‑old grandson, said, “Speed cameras will work like red‑light cameras.” She added, “You’ll get used to them being there, and you’re not going to do the thing that breaks the law.”

Lili Trujillo Packet, founder of Street Racing Kills, also shared her perspective. “I definitely think the camera will deter and save some lives,” Trujillo Packet said. She explained that a first ticket would make drivers aware of the cameras and change their behavior. “Once they get their first ticket,” Trujillo Packet said, “They’ll know there are cameras — and they’ll avoid them.”

Details of the Proposed System

The program, modeled after systems already in use in San Francisco, would issue citations ranging from $50 to $500, depending on how far over the speed limit a vehicle is traveling. The pilot would cover 18 locations, including intersections on Anaheim, Artesia, PCH, 2nd, 7th, Atlantic, Long Beach, Ocean, and Willow Boulevard—identified as a high‑priority corridor. Nine additional sites—Shoreline, Alamitos/Oceans, Bellflower, Cherry Avenue, and Santa Fe Avenue—would also be monitored.

Impact and Numbers

More than 50 pedestrians have been killed in Long Beach this year, the highest number in a decade. “Ninety‑five percent or more are preventable,” Grandma Beverly said. “Completely preventable, when you look into the actual crash.” She pointed to speeding and distracted driving as key behaviors that the cameras could curb.

The city map shows that many of the 18 sites are places where lives have already been lost, underscoring the urgency of the proposal.

Next Steps

If the council approves the funding, officials say the 18 speed cameras could be installed and operational by next year. The vote is seen by families who have already suffered losses as more than enforcement—it is about preventing the next empty chair at the table.

Key Takeaways

• The city plans a five‑year pilot with 18 speed cameras targeting high‑risk intersections.
• Advocates emphasize the cameras’ potential to deter speeding and save lives, citing personal losses.
• Over 50 pedestrians have been killed this year, with 95% of incidents deemed preventable.

In a city grappling with a record number of pedestrian fatalities, the proposed speed‑camera pilot represents a concrete step toward safer streets and a promise to those who have lost loved ones to traffic violence.