LIBERTY TWP, Ohio - Police in Liberty Township have begun using hand-held traffic cameras to monitor speeding.  

Ohio police departments have permission to use such cameras provided that an officer is present with the device at all times of its operation.

Similar devices are already being used in Youngstown and Weathersfield.

Liberty's program began in full Wednesday afternoon, but only warnings will be sent during its first 30 days.  Police say tickets with civil fines will be issued to violators beginning on August 1st.

Citations will be sent to drivers who violate speed limits by more than ten miles per hour on normal roads and six mph in school zones.

The citations impose a civil fine of $100 and do not place points on the driver's record.

Signs, according to police, will also be posted on entrances to the Township in order to inform incoming traffic that the devices are in use.

Police say they are using the devices because they are shown to produce reductions in speed violations as well as increase officer safety.

Liberty Township has partnered with Optotraffic, LLC of Maryland to administer the program.