Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, July 4, 2009 Edmonds backs off red-light cameras With lawsuits pending against other cities, the City Council cancels a vote. By Chris Fyall, Herald Writer EDMONDS -- Red-light runners as well as people concerned about privacy can breathe easier. In the face of two class-action lawsuits filed against Washington's 20 camera-owning cities last week, Edmonds is easing up on its red-light camera ambitions. A planned vote to approve the cameras on Tuesday has been shelved. The cameras could have been installed in two city intersections this year. "It is a very common-sense call," city attorney Scott Snyder said. "You sit on the sidelines and see how the issue resolves itself." Snyder said the lawsuits could spend months, or even years, in court. Everett approved a red-light camera program just before the lawsuits were filed. City lawyers are meeting with police officials to discuss the fate of the program, said Deputy Chief Greg Lineberry. Edmonds' cameras would have improved driver safety, police officials said. They would also have improved the city's bottom line. Fines would have generated an estimated $750,000 a year from red-light violators, according to police documents. Critics of the cameras say they are intended primarily to generate revenue. One of the lawsuits filed last week alleges that the camera programs were in fact illegal profit-making arrangements between cities and the camera manufacturers. Contracts signed by the cities promised that the cameras would never cost them a dime. The manufacturers simply took a cut of the camera revenue. The second lawsuit alleges that cities charge too much money for tickets. Most red-light tickets in Washington cost $124. Edmonds' proposed contract was structured with the same incentives and fees. For instance, more than 15 percent of the city's estimated ticket revenue was earmarked for American Traffic Solutions, the camera manufacturer. The company's share added up to $114,000 a year. In mid-June, Edmonds City Council rejected the cameras by a 4-3 vote. But Councilman Ron Wambolt, who initially opposed the cameras, changed his mind. He arranged to bring the cameras back for a second vote Tuesday. That second vote has now been cancelled. "There was potential to improve safety at these intersections and also -- and this isn't a bad thing -- to bring us some money," Wambolt said. If the lawsuits are resolved in the city's favor, he hopes Edmonds moves forward with the cameras, he said. Others disagreed. Councilman Steve Bernheim doesn't want Edmonds police enforcing laws through remote video monitoring, he said. Plus, there are studies showing that the red-light cameras increase some types of accidents such as rear-end collisions, he said. "I think it's a difficult scientific question about whether these cameras actually are effective or not," Bernheim said. But, he said, "It's also a question of what kind of city do we want to be? I don't want to be the city that fines every Edmonds resident for a rolling, red-light, right-hand turn." Chris Fyall: 425-339-3447, cfyall@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Gay marriage issue can wait, say Referendum 71 partisans 2. Six injured, three critically, in wreck near Machias 3. Forecast for 2010 housing market: slow decline 4. First-time homebuyer credit invites tax cheats 5. That's Stud Muffin to you 6. Offensive line helps Marysville-Pilchuck rush into state playoffs 7. Glacier Peak freshman overcomes jitters to win state in cross country 8. Proud union member and veteran had a wild side 9. Snohomish County's former sanitation director claims his ouster was forced 10. More snow expected for Cascades, mountain passes 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Gough on track to keep job • Jazz vocalist headlines NPAC • Mountlake Terrace makes football history • Tax revenue sagging, city budgets lagging • ‘Touch of Magic' show opens at Gallery North • Jackson repeats as South champs • Holiday Bazaars Calendar • Meadowdale storms back to grab title • Edmonds moves to Fire District 1 • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million