Red light facts would be helpful

I was present at the demonstration at 44th Avenue W. and 196th Street in Lynnwood on April 24, protesting against Lynnwood’s growing collection of red light cameras and school zone cameras, and its abundant ticketing of residents and visitors for related “violations.”

My fellow protesters and I were initially pleased that Ted Hikel, Lynnwood City Council president, stopped by to chat, but we were extremely disappointed in what he had to say. The air was full of honks from passing drivers demonstrating support for us, and we and many folks we talk to all know of responsible citizens who have either been trapped by these cameras into a $124 ticket, or else found themselves in an accident or a near miss when another driver slams on his breaks to avoid a ticket.

Nevertheless, Mr. Hikel seemed unmoved by these hardships, grinning wide as he claimed that he’d like to see a red light camera “on every corner.” These folks are all “breaking the law,” he said, and he claimed that accidents are down “38 percent.” I’d be curious to know how many accidents there have been in Lynnwood in any given time period related to red lights and school zones, and whether the cost to citizens and visitors, once the rear-end accidents are similarly accounted for, is really worth this trouble.

Joel Larmore

Lynnwood