Red Light Camera News Editorial: Putting stop to red-light cameras on Treasure Coast sensible approach
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http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/nov/28/editorial-putting-stop-to-red-light-cameras-on/
Editorial: Putting stop to red-light cameras on Treasure Coast sensible approach
Editorial board
TCPalm
Posted November 28, 2010 at 8:44 a.m.
Now that the Florida Legislature has officially sanctioned the use of cameras to catch red-light runners at intersections, local governments on the Treasure Coast are not exactly rushing to get them installed.
Rather, the support for the cameras has waned to the point that it seems unlikely they will be put into use anytime soon.
That's good news.
Vero Beach Police Chief Don Dappen has put the issue on the back burner, citing uncertainty of political will on the new City Council to proceed with the cameras, which had been endorsed early last year by a previous council — four members of which are gone.
And new Mayor Jay Kramer said he isn't convinced that the cameras necessarily improve safety, but appear to be more a source of revenue.
The issue of money has been a major factor in support of the cameras by local governments strapped for revenue in difficult economic times.
But, the bill passed by Florida lawmakers earlier this year authorizing the cameras took away a large part of the money-making incentive. Under the legislation signed by Gov. Charlie Crist, the owners of vehicles captured running through red lights will be fined $158 per offense with most of the money going to the state and only $75 going to the local government, which would have to pay the camera vendor and for personnel out of its share.
Also, the law prohibits local governments from paying the vendor — frequently Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions — per ticket. Rather, the governments more likely would have to pay a flat monthly fee per camera.
Those financial scenarios have greatly dampened the support for the cameras by Fort Pierce Police Chief Sean Baldwin.
Vero Beach and Fort Pierce had been working with ATS on potential contracts under the new state rules. The Fort Pierce contract is being reviewed by the city attorney and may go before the City Commission in the next few weeks. Officials in Martin County have not to this point proceeded on the camera issue to the extent of those municipalities in Indian River and St. Lucie counties.
Baldwin said that under the legislation, the cameras might not only bring little money to the city, they could cost the city more than it makes. To administer the program alone with the required review by law enforcement of the camera photos could cost the city at least $70,000 to $80,000 annually. The police department, he said, doesn't have that money and can't afford to take present officers away from current assignments to do that work.
While Baldwin said he still believes the cameras can improve safety at intersections, he's no longer sold on their practicality.
"I don't know where I stand at this point," he said. "Whether it's worth making any move, I don't know politically how much support there is."
Even the issue of improved safety is debatable. Some studies have indicated overall traffic safety declines as a result of camera use.
With the revenue incentive diminished and questions about improved safety, tabling the red-light cameras is the sensible approach.
For now, the best plan may be the old-fashioned one: Expect the vast majority of drivers to obey traffic laws and have law enforcement officers pull over and cite those who do not.
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