‘They’re trying to pull a fast one’: Jake and Spike dispute tickets from speed cameras in school zones

Edgewood resident Michael Stanzel is challenging the use of school zone cameras, speed cameras, and red light cameras in Washington after receiving a ticket for going 22 miles an hour.

He began to investigate exactly how the programs work, explaining, on “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH Tuesday, that much of the around $500,000 a year that Edgewood generates from these cameras often does not go toward safety programs as promised.

However, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, Spike O’Neill, argued that speed zone cameras are essential to keep dangerous drivers at bay.

“Clearly, Mike doesn’t understand the value of this program,” Spike said. “The monetary penalty isn’t to put money in the city’s coffers, but it’s a deterrent. It’s to teach people that if you keep doing this illegal thing, it’s going to keep costing you, and eventually, you can’t afford to drive anymore.”

Jake believes money is going elsewhere

Jake Skorheim, co-host of “Jake and Spike,” rebutted, saying he doesn’t trust the system.

“I’m not arguing against keeping kids safe,” Jake said. “I hate being lied to. I feel like they’re trying to pull a fast one over you when they tell you that the money is going to go to keeping kids safe, and then they use it for something else … I have a problem with that.”

Jake went on to say that he would prefer if neighborhoods were better patrolled during school hours rather than being slapped with a ticket later on.

“The cameras are watching you all the time, racking up tickets indiscriminately,” he said. “Any person that drives 22 over 20 … to me, no cop would ever write that ticket.”

Jake and Spike agreed that more patrolling at local schools could be a good solution, and if the cameras were to go away, Spike would want to see some sort of program focused on children’s safety.

Meanwhile, Stanzel has raised his concerns with local officials, including the mayor and police chief, and created a petition on change.org to gather support.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.