Crowell bill takes aim at red-light cameras

~ Only three Missouri cities currently use cameras to ticket motorists running red lights.

State Sen. Jason Crowell is making another attempt to restrict the use of cameras to record traffic violations at red lights.

In this year's version of the bill, Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, would impose strict controls to prevent vendors pushing cities to use the cameras from earning their fees based on the number of tickets issued. At the beginning of last year's session, Crowell introduced a bill to ban the cameras, but said at the time that he really wanted to curb perceived abuses.

"I think I am showing a willingness to compromise," Crowell said.

The bill has not been referred to any committee. Last year's bill received a hearing but no further action in the state Senate.

Only three Missouri cities -- Arnold, Florissant and St. Peters -- currently use cameras to issue tickets to motorists running red lights. But according to news reports, several more, including St. Charles, Columbia and Springfield, are actively considering installing them.

The lucrative nature of shared revenue from red light cameras led to corruption charges in St. Peters. On Aug. 17, the town mayor, Shawn Brown, was indicted for soliciting a $2,750 bribe from a vendor to sign the ordinance awarding the city's contract. Brown faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Under Crowell's bill, any political subdivision installing the cameras would have to issue a public warning by publishing a legal notice of its plans and allow a 30-day grace period for violators before tickets could be issued. In addition, the city would have to post warning signs 500 feet from the intersection notifying motorists that the cameras are in place.

Images captured by the cameras would, under Crowell's bill, be required to show that the traffic signal is clearly on a steady red signal, the full vehicle and a readable image of the rear license plate on the car. In addition, Crowell wants any system to capture a video image of the violation.

Not on Cape's agenda

While many cities are considering the use of the cameras, it's not on the agenda for Cape Girardeau anytime in the near future, Mayor Jay Knudtson said. And he added that public attitudes in this area are a strong deterrent to any city officials who may want to consider using the cameras.

A lot of people, Knudtson said, "view it as another example of Big Brother looking over them and an infringement on their rights. People are very passionate about it."

For example, Knudtson said, the city recently installed new traffic lights at several intersections around town. The signals use a camera to detect when cars approach and trigger the light to change and allow the traffic through. The cameras replace older systems of timed lights or electric triggers that detect a vehicle rolling over the pavement.

"Even with the implementation of those exterior cameras for that purpose, we received many calls from people who thought they were cameras for the purpose of ticketing," Knudtson said.

And Knudtson said he would be wary of any system that rewards a vendor based on the number of tickets issued. "There seems to be something inherently wrong with that relationship."

rkeller@semissourian.com

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