Monroe can prove its intent
Published 3:32 pm Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The public’s dislike of red-light cameras could hardly be clearer. Mukilteo voters’ overwhelming rejection of them in the recent election revealed a belief that automated traffic enforcement is more about enhancing government revenues than safety. Similar votes in other states this fall suggest such thinking is shared widely.
So what is Monroe to do about its pending decision to install cameras and assess fines against speeders in school zones outside Frank Wagner and Fryelands elementary schools?
Officials there insist the move, which actually was approved by the City Council a year ago, is all about keeping children safe as they cross busy roads on their way to and from school. Tim Eyman, who sponsored the successful initiative in Mukilteo and spoke against cameras at a Monroe City Council meeting Tuesday night, says school zone cameras will inevitably lead to the red-light cameras and the revenue bonanza they represent. He’s urging the council to seek voters’ permission for school-zone cameras, implying an initiative could follow if they don’t.
The vote in Mukilteo suggests most voters in Monroe might buy Eyman’s argument. Given that, the Monroe City Council should take steps to prove its intent is sincere, that safety is the only goal.
It could do that by adopting an ordinance that requires voter approval before red-light cameras can be put in place.
To further emphasize the point, the council could require that all net revenue generated by school-zone cameras go to public safety, allow such cameras only in school zones, and require they operate only while children are likely to be present.
The safety case for school-zone cameras is generally more compelling than for red-light cameras. Cars and trucks speeding through school zones, often in the dark and rain as children are trying to cross a busy street, is a common sight this time of year.
Well-marked speed enforcement cameras are surely an effective reminder to drivers. As such, they’re much less likely than red-light cameras to create significant revenue. They could, however, prevent a tragedy. As the voters’ elected representatives, city councils should have that much discretion.
It’s true that school-zone cameras were caught in the net of Eyman’s Mukilteo initiative. It doesn’t necessarily follow, though, that voters were voicing equal resistance to them and to red-light cameras.
And, of course, Mukilteo isn’t Monroe. The council there may still have a chance to forge trust with its citizens on an issue where little seems to exist. The concept of representative democracy could use the boost.
