Lights out for red light cameras

Motorists can ignore camera flashes at city intersections after July 1 following council members' vote to suspend red light camera enforcement.

During Monday's meeting, council members voted 4-0 not to approve an agreement with red light camera vendor ATS, meaning the current contract with the vendor will expire after June 30. Council member Joe Johnston III was absent.

Without a vendor, Brooksville Police Chief George Turner said red light cameras will be suspended, at least until city council members take action on the matter.

The next scheduled council meeting isn't until Monday, July 19.

During the meeting, council members rehashed arguments about the merits of red light cameras during what was supposed to be a second reading on previously approved changes to the ordinance.

Instead, Vice Mayor Richard Lewis announced he would like to "pull the plug" on red light cameras because he said the intent behind them is no longer to protect motorists and pedestrians, but to generate money for the city.

"I will admit, people have changed their driving habits since these cameras have been implemented," Lewis said. "But I feel like now it's more about generating revenue and that we've already become reliant on them."

Council member Joe Bernardini agreed and added he doesn't like that the tickets go toward the vehicle owner and not the vehicle's driver.

Then discussion became heated between Lewis and Mayor Lara Bradburn, who argued that since the cameras have been installed, motorists are more mindful of their driving habits and that there has been a reduction in traffic accidents.

Bradburn was also adamant that her intent all along has been about public safety and not generating revenue.

In the end, council members agreed to approve the second reading of the changes to bring the city in compliance with the new state law that goes into effect July 1. However, they then unanimously voted not to approve the ATS contract, which suspends the use of the lights after June 30.

Turner said the agreement with ATS would have essentially split the city's take from each $158 ticket after the state's $83 cut - or essentially a $37.50 split of the remaining $75.

Lewis announced his intention early on in the discussion not to approve the contract - primarily based on the contract agreement coming to the council so late in the month.

Meanwhile, Turner has his homework cut out for him as council members seek more traffic data to prove whether red light cameras truly reduce intersection crashes.

"I want to see some figures to convince Joe and me," Lewis said. "Nothing is set in stone. You can still change my mind."