ANAHEIM – The City Council had its say Tuesday night. Now it’s up to voters to decide whether to ban red-light cameras in Anaheim forever.
The council on Tuesday evening voted 4-0 to place a measure on the November ballot that would amend the city’s Charter to permanently prohibit automated traffic-enforcement systems.
The effort was led by Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle, whose term ends this year.
Anaheim has resisted such technology but nearby cities such as Santa Ana and Garden Grove embrace it.
Pringle introduced the item in April saying he fears that future city leaders might be tempted to install red-light cameras to bolster city revenues.
Anaheim’s $1.3 billion-budget proposed for next year is down 1 percent from the year before and tax revenues are down across the board. Still, automated traffic enforcement should never be considered, council members said.
“It’s very discouraging when government thinks its sole purpose is … to use public safety as a revenue-raising tool,” Pringle said previously.
The rest of the council had previously expressed support for the idea. It past Tuesday without further comment. (Councilwoman Lorri Galloway was absent.)
Supporters of red-light cameras say they are an effective tool for getting motorists to drive more safely and that they provide more “eyes” in addition to those of traffic officers.
Detractors say they are invasive and can even lead to more rear-end collisions because drivers drastically change driving habits fearing tickets from the “eyes in the sky.”
Pringle also said he worries that cameras could be used to cite motorists committing other violations such as speeding or talking on cell phones.
The item will be place on the Nov. 2 general-election ballot. It would require a simple majority to pass.
If the measure passes, and the city ever wanted to install such cameras in the future, it would have to go back to the ballot for another vote of the public.
Contact the writer: 714-704-3769 or ecarpenter@ocregister.com
