$1M expected from red-light cameras

The Brooksville Police Department expects to collect $1 million in revenue within its first year of installing red light cameras in the city.

That figure was presented to the City Council Tuesday night, along with a breakdown of how the cameras are performing.

Four cameras have been installed since March, with a fifth one expected to be functional within 30 days at Cobb Road and West Jefferson.

Excluding the 30-day warning period with each camera, there have been 1,524 citations issued since March, with 68 percent of them paid. Collectively, the city has received $120,987 since Aug. 7, minus $17,720 paid to the private operator of the cameras, American Traffic Solutions.

That leaves the city with $103,267. Projected revenue by next March is $1,071,680, according to the police chief's figures.

Figures presented Tuesday also give a picture of the discretion used by both American Traffic Solutions and the police department. The camera will flash every time someone crosses the traffic bar, regardless of whether it's a right turn on red or a stop past the bar.

Officials at American Traffic Solutions are the first ones to screen the data, including photos and video. They pass what they believe are legitimate violations to the police department. An officer will then review each individual case and decide whether to issue a ticket.

So, take for instance, the first camera installed at the northbound lanes of Broad Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Total "events" or triggers are 1,810. Citations issued to date: 1,023.

The police chief says the aim of the cameras is "all about safety," adding that traffic crashes are a "serious problem."

Since Jan. 1, his department has investigated 173 traffic crashes in the city limits; about 40 were minor, such as parking lot fender benders; the rest caused more than $1,000 in damage.

Mayor Joe Bernadini pointed out during the meeting that with today's vehicles, which are built to crumple for safety purposes, it's fairly easy to cause more than $1,000 in damages.

So how will this $1 million be spent?

There are overhead costs to begin with. If the red light cameras continue, Turner would like to hire a part-time police officer dedicated fully to reviewing the red-light violations. That costs about $24,800.

There is also a special master assigned to hearing the cases of people who want to contest their tickets. That master receives about $250 per hour, with each session lasting about three hours. Annual projected cost: $5,000.

What the chief would really like to put in place, however, is a full-time traffic unit for the city. This would consist of an existing traffic sergeant, plus three new officer positions. Their purpose would be traffic enforcement, DUI investigations and completing traffic crash reports.

The traffic unit will cost about $349,102. That, plus the $31,000 for review purposes, leaves about $700,000 remaining for the city to use at its discretion.

Councilman David Pugh liked the idea of traffic unit, especially if it would pay for itself.

"I think a traffic unit would be really beneficial, especially with the influx of traffic in our city," he said.