Protest Letters Red-light cameras drain our economy
http://www.redding.com/news/2011/sep/18/evert-dale-red-light-cameras-drain-our-economy/
Evert Dale, Redding
Red-light cameras drain our economy
In the Sept. 8 article "Police adjust tactics," http://www.redding.com/news/2011/sep/07/fewer-officers-patrol-roads-police-adjust/ it is noted that although there are two fewer traffic officers and no community service officers, the accident rate has declined. How can this be?
It's the economy.
Compare driving across town today and four years ago. The reduced traffic and economic activity are startling.
The red light tickets went from 516, in 2007, the start of the red light program, to 4,478 in 2010.
At $500 each, 4,478 tickets equal $2,239,000. The $500 is composed of the ticket plus various fees.
This money goes to the company in Arizona to pay for the cameras, and our enforcement and court system.
A traffic officer could be put on red-light duty and save most of the $2 million. Even the officers' salary would be spent locally.
From the sheer number (4,000 red-light tickets) it is obvious the public is being gouged with little benefit, and with a $2 million hit to our community.
Perhaps our City Council and grand jury should revisit this issue.
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