Paul Henry on Deland, FL Red-light camera cities need motorists to break the law and run red lights!

Ding! Ding! Ding! And we finally have a winner in the media!
"Like elected officials in more than 700 U.S. cities with red-light cameras, DeLand's leaders tout the devices as a boon to public safety. But the reality is murkier: Red-light camera cities need motorists to break the law and run red lights. Why? Because this modern form of traffic law enforcement is a business, a big business, that can provide handsome profits or contract payments for private companies and, potentially, a nice revenue stream for local governments caught between a struggling economy and tax-resistant voters. "

"They need those cameras to generate revenue to justify the expense. This unofficially makes law enforcement a revenue-generating function of government. Sure, old-fashioned fines and fees produce revenue..., but cops aren't hired for the specific task of spitting out tickets."

"Old-fashioned, on-the-street policing still provides an effective deterrent to speeding and red-light violations. This approach also offers other crime-fighting benefits that electronic devices cannot provide. "

Maybe it is just me, but it sure sounds like they are saying:
Automated for-profit law enforcement is a bad idea.

When they wake up to the guilty until excused or you finger another part, then maybe they'll also call it un-American. One step at a time. :)

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20120929/OPINION/309289978/1027?Title=Scofflaw-shortage-affects-red-light-camera-outlookSee

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