Everett OKs red-light cameras

EVERETT — The Everett City Council on Wednesday voted 6-1 to approve a new ordinance allowing red-light cameras.

Council members are expected in the near future to vote on whether to install cameras at six busy intersections around the city. They might also have cameras placed in two school zones to catch speeders.

“This is a huge public safety issue,” Councilman Paul Roberts said before voting in favor of the ordinance.

The new city ordinance states that its main goal is to improve safety.

In addition to red-light cameras, the ordinance would allow for the installation of cameras to catch speeders in school zones and people who fail to stop at railroad crossings.

Any red-light cameras installed would be placed in areas with both relatively high rates of T-bone accidents and red-light violations, said Ryan Sass, Everett’s city engineer.

Under the ordinance, the registered owner of a car caught on camera running a red light would be mailed a $124 ticket. Because the cameras could not legally take images of a driver’s face, violations are treated as parking tickets on a vehicle’s record, not moving violation that are placed on a driver’s record.

Councilman Mark Olson voted against the measure, saying he is concerned about the future expense of a red-light-camera program. He also expressed reservations about the proliferation of cameras that he said may not actually improve safety.

Sass said the expense to run a single camera is anticipated to cost between $4,000 and $5,000 per month. However, agreements between cities and red-light camera vendors typically are written to include “no negative cash flow clauses” that ensure that cameras pay for themselves, Sass said.

Everett joins Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mill Creek and Mountlake Terrace as cities that have pursued red-light cameras.

While Lynnwood and Edmonds currently have red-light cameras operating at several intersections, officials in Mill Creek and Mountlake Terrace have both scrapped red-light camera plans because they were found to have little benefit.

Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.