There is an interesting conundrum in Dallas, where city leaders are using cameras to catch red-light runners. Apparently, drivers are behaving so well the cameras are not generating their anticipated revenue. That is forcing the city to shut down about 25-percent of the cameras to cut down on operating costs.
What happens next? Police in any city are always very careful to say the cameras aren't intended to be money-makers. Instead, they are supposed to deter red-light running and dangerous T-bone accidents. So should the cameras stay if they are running up a budget deficit?
Red light cameras are also creating some budget obstacles here in Kansas City. However, it is for different reasons. Apparently, City Manager Wayne Cauthen's original budget forecast anticipated a nice chunk of change ($1 million) from a red-light camera system. One problem: the cameras aren't installed yet... and won't be until a lawsuit is resolved in Arnold, Mo. Depending on the result of that legal battle, the cameras could be outlawed in this state.
I blogged about the potential controversy last June when I did a story about Sugar Creek's lone red-light camera. At the time, Kansas City leaders were debating the pros/cons of bringing the technology to downtown intersections.
Ryan Kath
kath@nbcactionnews.com