Host Janet Michael welcomes back her most frequent guest, Captain Warren Gosnell of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, for another Public Safety Thursday conversation. They cover two major topics: Frederick County's new school zone speed camera program and how to navigate police interactions safely and legally.

Topics Covered

🚦 School Zone Speed Cameras

Frederick County's camera program launched with a 30-day warning period before violations were issued
Three school zones are currently active under the camera system, including Stonewall Elementary on Route 11 (25 mph zone)
Violations are processed by a vendor in Chattanooga, TN, but reviewed and approved by three authorized human deputies within the Frederick County Sheriff's Office — not AI
Approximately 18,000 warnings and violations have been processed in the first 45–50 days
Violations are voided if signage is not fully in place (e.g., after a windstorm removed a sign)
Enforcement threshold begins at 10 mph over the posted school zone speed limit
Some repeat offenders were clocked at 15–25 mph over the limit

👮 Police Interactions & Knowing Your Rights

Social media and viral videos are fueling misconceptions about what rights people actually have during police encounters
In Virginia, motorists are required by law to provide their license when requested by a uniformed officer
Officers operate under both discretionary laws and mandatory ("shall") enforcement statutes — they don't always have a choice
Example discussed: reckless driving (Class 1 misdemeanor) vs. speeding (traffic infraction) and how discretion works
Impounding a vehicle for an unlicensed driver on a second offense is mandatory under Virginia Code 46.2-300
If you believe an officer acted improperly, recourse options include: the court system, the agency's chain of command, FOIA requests for body cam/dash cam footage, and public platforms
Key message: comply with lawful directives first, then pursue recourse — don't escalate at the scene

Resources Mentioned

Frederick County Sheriff's Office – social media pages for updates on traffic enforcement
Virginia Code 46.2 – Motor Vehicle Code
Virginia Code 18.2-266 – DUI/Driving Under the Influence
FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests for body cam and dash cam footage

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