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Signs warning motorists of nearby speed cameras were posted in Potomac over the Memorial Day weekend.

The signs were not the county regulated "Photo Enforced" signs, however.

Signs posted by an individual calling himself "Potomac Secret Agent" were placed at five locations, Oaklyn Drive, River Road, Tuckerman Lane, Seven Locks Road and Wootton Parkway. The red signs, measuring 18 by 24 inches, carried a variety of messages warning motorists that they would soon be passing an automated speed camera.

Gerry Dunn, spokesman for the Potomac Secret Agent, said that the signs were a form of civil disobedience, designed to raise awareness of the county's speed camera program and to call for more discussion of the program in a public forum.

While Dunn said there are some appropriate places for speed cameras, such as near schools or in areas with high pedestrian traffic, he does not support the cameras operating 24 hours a day, nor over a wide area.

"It's just gotten to a point where it goes beyond traffic enforcement to raising revenue," Dunn said.

Dunn also said he hoped the protest would push county residents to demand a referendum on the cameras.

"Let them vote, let the people decide," said Dunn. "If the public has a chance to vote…then the public has made the decision, then that's OK."

Lt. Paul Starks, a Montgomery County Police spokesman, defended the speed cameras.

"Our speed enforcement program has never been a quote, unquote gotcha program," he said. "We have run an open program from the beginning."

Starks stressed the county's outreach efforts, including informational meetings and announcements prior to the camera installation and issuing warning citations instead of tickets after the initial installation of the cameras.

While the department does not support posting signs, downloading locations of cameras onto GPS devices or other activities to avoid tickets, Starks said as long as people were slowing down, the cameras were serving their purpose.

"While we're not encouraging [posting signs], it's in effect slowing people down," he said.

Starks said it was unclear if posting the signs was illegal.

Several drivers supported the signs around Potomac.

Mary Delaney, 59, of Alexandria, Va., said she doesn't like the cameras, but thought they should stay operational, with a lower fine. "I don't like them, I think they're for generating revenue," she said.

Delaney also said she supports the Potomac Secret Agent's call for a referendum.

George Varkis, 28, of Potomac was also in support of the Potomac Secret Agent's signs.

"They have good intentions, but really? Anything hidden is shady," said Varkis of the automated speed cameras.

"I just moved here, I can't believe how slow the speed limit is," said Varkis, formerly of Orlando, Fla.

Montgomery County Councilman Roger Berliner (D-Dist. 1) of Potomac also noticed the signs on Oaklyn Drive.

"I was both bemused and fascinated by them," said Berliner. "I think it serves the same objective, which is to tell people to slow down, which is what the speed cameras are all about."

"A couple of them even had ‘slow down for a safe Potomac.' Who can argue with that?" Berliner added.

While Berliner was happy to see the signs supporting safe driving and helping drivers to slow down, he disagreed with the Potomac Secret Agent's disapproval of the automated speed cameras.

According to Berliner, the cameras aren't designed to raise revenue or be invasive.

"The speed cameras only kick in when you're doing 12 miles over the speed limit," said Berliner, making them focused on safety, not issuing tickets.

"It isn't like we need the money so desperately," said Berliner. "Our goal is to keep the community safe. Period."