Red Light Camera News Red light camera issue goes to Westminster voters
(Thanks to www.stpetecameras for the link).
http://www.ocregister.com/news/light-308435-red-cameras.html
Published: July 15, 2011 Updated: 5:15 p.m.
Red light camera issue goes to Westminster voters
The City Council approved a measure for the November 2012 ballot that will allow voters to decide if they want red light cameras in the city.
By DEEPA BHARATH / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
WESTMINSTER – The city wants voters to decide whether they want red light cameras at city intersections.
The City Council agreed to put a measure on the November 2012 ballot that will allow voters to say if they're for or against red light cameras.
The Westminster City Council on Wednesday approved a measure for the June 2012 ballot that will allow voters to decide if they want red light cameras in the city.
KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTERADVERTISEMENT
Red light cameras are meant to prevent drivers from running red lights, but they can actually cause accidents because drivers slam on their brakes when they see they missed the light and notice that the intersection has camera enforcement, said Councilman Tyler Diep, who proposed the action.
"There's the safety issue and also the legality issue of red light cameras," he said. "In addition, there is also the issue of private companies that are in a position to make profits because the red light cameras are almost always installed, maintained and monitored by private vendors."
If Westminster voters decide against red light cameras, future councils cannot approve their installation, Diep said. The city does not currently have the automated devices.
"No future City Council will be able to allow red light cameras without putting it on the ballot first," he said. The Westminster council voted 4-0 Wednesday, with Mayor Margie Rice absent, in favor of the measure.
In November, Anaheim's voters approved Measure K and turned off their red light cameras. The measure passed by an overwhelming 73 percent.
Other Orange County cities that have rejected red light cameras include Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa and Fullerton. Also in California, Union City, Cupertino, Compton, El Monte, Fresno, Santa Fe Springs, Rancho Cucamonga, Indian Wells, Santa Maria and Upland have rejected the automated cameras.
Last month, the city of Los Angeles turned off its red light cameras, claiming the courts and drivers ignore the citations and that they don't make traffic safer. The city's Police Commission voted unanimously to unplug red light camera. According to an ABC News report, the city of Los Angeles spent about $1 million a year just to keep these cameras operational.
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