http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/polk/lakeland-red-light-cameras-011011

Lakeland needs more green from red light cameras
Underperforming cameras may move
Updated: Monday, 10 Jan 2011, 11:14 PM EST
Published : Monday, 10 Jan 2011, 11:14 PM EST

Ken Suarez
FOX 13 News Polk County reporter
LAKELAND - If you're driving through Lakeland, don't assume you know where the red light cameras are. The city is thinking about moving two of them because they are not cutting it financially.

"It wasn't meant to be a money-making venture, but it wasn't meant to be a money loser," Kevin Cook, a spokesman for the city of Lakeland, told FOX 13 on Monday.

Each camera costs the city about $4,800 a month to rent and operate. Cook says the one on Cleveland Heights Boulevard and a second one on Daughtrey Road are costing the city more than the income from the tickets that are issued there. The city council has discussed possibly moving them to other intersections that have more traffic and more crashes.

Critics say if you move the red light cameras, crashes and red light running on Cleveland Heights and Daughtrey might increase.

The city council has not made a decision yet. However, it is under pressure to increase the bottom line.

The money from the red light cameras goes to the local arts and other non-profit groups. If the red light cameras stay where they are, they are expected to bring in about half of what the organizations have been promised this year.

Ban the Cams note:  Lakeland didn't install RLC for SAFETY, They installed it for $afety!$$$$$$.  Or is that MONEY!  Come on Lakeland be honest, this lie is becoming pathetic!

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