Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009
Edmonds Council votes down red-light cameras
EDMONDS -- Red-light cameras won't be coming to Edmonds, following a 4-2 vote by the Edmonds City Council to nix the idea.
The city had been considering red-light cameras since early 2008. The cameras capture the license plates of vehicles running red lights and people ticketed would receive $124 fines.
The council took up the issue at its Tuesday meeting.
City staff and American Traffic Solutions studied three intersections for possible cameras in October and March. They including north- and southbound Highway 99 at 238th Street SW; the four directions of 220th Street SW and Highway 99; and east- and westbound Edmonds Way at 100th Avenue W.
The locations that showed enough violations to justify cameras were westbound 220th Street SW and westbound Edmonds Way.
Red-light cameras were expected to net the city $600,000 in fines, although staff had said the primary reason for the cameras was to increase safety.
Councilman Ron Wambolt said he received e-mails from Edmonds residents who said the cameras were only being put up to make money for the city.
But Bill Kroske, vice president of American Traffic Solutions, took issue with that: "No city is going to get rich off of red-light cameras."
Kroske said 20 cities statewide have opted for cameras. Of those, 14 jurisdictions, including Lynnwood and Lake Forest Park, contracted with his company.
Councilman Steve Bernheim made the motion to reject the cameras, saying that he was disappointed he did not have the chance to review material and data about red-light cameras in Seattle and Lynnwood.
"I think the jury's out on the effectiveness of these cameras," he said. "I hesitate to act on this without further review, by a committee, of unanswered questions."
Councilmen Wambolt, Bernheim, Michael Plunkett and D.J. Wilson voted to put a stop to the discussion. Councilmen Dave Orvis and Strom Peterson voted against the motion. Councilwoman Peggy Pritchard Olson was not present.
The city had been considering red-light cameras since early 2008. The cameras capture the license plates of vehicles running red lights and people ticketed would receive $124 fines.
The council took up the issue at its Tuesday meeting.
City staff and American Traffic Solutions studied three intersections for possible cameras in October and March. They including north- and southbound Highway 99 at 238th Street SW; the four directions of 220th Street SW and Highway 99; and east- and westbound Edmonds Way at 100th Avenue W.
The locations that showed enough violations to justify cameras were westbound 220th Street SW and westbound Edmonds Way.
Red-light cameras were expected to net the city $600,000 in fines, although staff had said the primary reason for the cameras was to increase safety.
Councilman Ron Wambolt said he received e-mails from Edmonds residents who said the cameras were only being put up to make money for the city.
But Bill Kroske, vice president of American Traffic Solutions, took issue with that: "No city is going to get rich off of red-light cameras."
Kroske said 20 cities statewide have opted for cameras. Of those, 14 jurisdictions, including Lynnwood and Lake Forest Park, contracted with his company.
Councilman Steve Bernheim made the motion to reject the cameras, saying that he was disappointed he did not have the chance to review material and data about red-light cameras in Seattle and Lynnwood.
"I think the jury's out on the effectiveness of these cameras," he said. "I hesitate to act on this without further review, by a committee, of unanswered questions."
Councilmen Wambolt, Bernheim, Michael Plunkett and D.J. Wilson voted to put a stop to the discussion. Councilmen Dave Orvis and Strom Peterson voted against the motion. Councilwoman Peggy Pritchard Olson was not present.
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