CAPE CITY COUNCIL DELAYS DISCUSSION OF TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Cape Girardeau motorists shouldn't worry yet about whether a camera is recording their traffic violations.

The City Council will delay its discussion on automated red light enforcement until its Nov. 6 meeting. A representative from Nestor Traffic Systems, the company that sells the automated red light equipment, is expected to give a presentation to the council then.

The council had intended to study the matter again tonight at 7 after a discussion at the Oct. 9 meeting.

Earlier this month, the council discussed a proposed ordinance that would have enabled the city's police department to use video cameras to help with traffic enforcement.

But council members wanted more information on the system.

The police department believes that using video camera surveillance at intersections where accidents occur could help prevent traffic problems.

Some council members say the use of video cameras is an invasion of privacy. Councilman Frank Stoffregen doesn't like that the proposed ordinance would put liability on vehicle owners, not the drivers. He said that could affect small businesses.

Current city ordinances require that a driver must be cited for violating traffic laws, not the vehicle owner.