Red Light Camera News Brooksville might ignore DISASTROUS past, and do RLC again in 2011. LETS HOPE NOT!
More stop and go on red light cameras
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By JEFF SCHMUCKER | Hernando Today
Published: December 31, 2010
BROOKSVILLE - The topic of whether to reinstall red light cameras in Brooksville could make a reappearance in early 2011 just as lawmakers begin pondering their fate statewide.
City Manager Jennene Norman-Vacha said talks could resume about the cameras as early as February when council members are slated to begin discussing budget financing.
She said that while the cameras improved public safety, they also brought in revenue.
(SURREEE, as I recall ATS RLC Operation in Houston, Texas where the city was being sued because they are attempting to Hide Red Light Camera Safety Data on the eve of the vote BANNING RLC! http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/33/3310.asp (at least 50 RLC sites) )
"Some council members said they wanted to see more information and maybe talk about it later," Norma-Vacha said. "When we hold our financial workshop, we might see this as a topic, but at what depth will be up to council."
That news follows Port Richey city officials' recent decision to hire a contractor for red light camera installations.
The cameras typically capture a driver's license plate number and provide video showing the offense — whether he or she drove through an intersection while the light was red, or improperly turning right on red without stopping.
Lawmakers backed a pro-red light camera bill that allowed for the cameras along with an increase in ticket costs to violators from $125 to $158, with the state taking a cut of $83.
However, just as changes to the law were approved, Brooksville city council members opted to discontinue using the cameras after now-Mayor Frankie Burnett changed his mind — siding with council member Joe Bernardini and former vice mayor Richard Lewis.
However, Lewis' replacement, Emory Pierce, is in favor of implementing the cameras, which could again turn the tide toward having them again installed in Brooksville.
"I'm closely in favor of the red light cameras under certain, strict conditions," Pierce said. "I'd like to see them installed at a maximum of five intersections, and I don't want to see one at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and U.S. 41, where all they did is ticket people for right hand turns on red. I'd also want to see good statistics kept on rear-end collisions."
Battle at the state house
State Rep. Robert Schenck, R-Spring Hill, reiterated his commitment to seeing a bill pushed through to abolish red light cameras statewide. Unlike the last legislative session, where his bill failed to gain majority support, political newcomers could give him the votes he needs.
"Yeah, I'm pretty confident that we have enough support to get it out of the House," Schenck said. "As for the Senate, they're a lot more squirrely over there. But we're seeing a shift on a lot of issues compared to before, so we'll have to see."
Some lawmakers are already announcing their support to eliminate the cameras, including newly elected state Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-New Port Richey, and State Rep. John Legg, R-Port Richey.
However, Brooksville Police Chief George Turner, who is a red light camera advocate, said he believes that when it comes down to placing a vote, a majority of lawmakers are supportive of keeping the cameras.
"I don't think Schenck has the support this year, and I think most are in favor of the cameras because they're a true public safety initiative," Turner said. "The cities that have them are making their roads safer."
Reporter Jeff Schmucker can be reached at 352-544-5271 or
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