Local Police Unenthusiastic About Red-Light Cameras

Last month, the Missouri Department of Transportation lifted the suspension on red-light cameras on state-maintained roads that had been in effect since last October. Even though the cameras are now fair game for law enforcement on routes like Highway 141 and Manchester Road, it seems unlikely that these automated systems will be coming to either Town and Country or Manchester any time soon.

“There are no current plans to implement red-light cameras in Town and Country,” said Town and Country Police Cpt. Gary Hoelzer. “At this time, the does not have a position on red-light cameras and we are supportive of those guidelines established by MoDOT.”

Interim Manchester Police Chief Lt. Timothy Walsh said that Manchester has no plans to pursue red-light cameras, either.

Along with lifting the suspension,  created a set of guidelines that a city must follow if red light cameras are to be implemented on state-maintained roads within that city's jurisdiction.  As stated in a MoDOT  news release, these guidelines stipulate that a municipality must launch a “public awareness campaign” as well as post signs on state-maintained roads and intersections before cameras can be installed.

“I think the potential is that local jurisdictions would adopt the same format,” MoDOT’s Director of System Management Don Hillis told Patch. “I do believe some communities will adopt this for use on their city streets or county roads.”

Walsh said that the guidelines are more like restrictions and make his department less likely to implement automated cameras.

"In the Manchester and Town and Country  area if one of the municipalities wants to put up a camera on 100 (Manchester Road) or 141, we say we'll work with you but we're going to work together," MoDOT community relations manager Linda Wilson said. "Our traffic engineers want to sit down with city police and look at what the problem is with that intersection and ask will a red light camera help it."

Wilson also said that MoDOT will conduct an annual review of any cameras implemented on state roads.

MoDOT has no jurisdiction over roads maintained by local municipalities. Wilson said she receives calls from frustrated motorists who receive red light tickets on these smaller roads when there was no public awareness campaign or signs posted before the cameras were implemented. In those types of situations MoDOT has no authority, said Wilson.

In the past, when red-light cameras have been implemented in Missouri, controversy typically follows. St. Ann’s police chief, Bob Schrader, was accused by some of putting revenue over safety when that North County municipality had automated cameras installed. Recently, Washington, MO took down its two red-light cameras after that city’s police chief said during a public hearing that the cameras did little to reduce accidents.

With all the attention surrounding the St. Ann and Washington cameras, it is no surprise that most Manchester and Town and Country residents are knowledgeable about the automated systems and have strong opinions in regard to them.

“Statistics show they (red-light cameras) don’t prevent accidents, it seems to be more of a revenue stream,” said Town and Country resident Clay Spoeneman. “Law enforcement should strike a balance between preventing harm and respecting the public. That being said, these cameras don’t seem to prevent harm.”

“I saw some articles about them that said they don’t actually reduce accidents. I don’t know if that’s true,” said Matthew Butler of Manchester. “It seems like a way for the police to generate revenue, and I can understand that. In the recession, I’m sure their budgets are getting cut."

An individual at the Feb. 22 Manchester Board of Alderman , who wished to remain anonymous, said that he believed red-light cameras “are unnecessary until they’re enforceable,” referring to the perceived lack of repercussions for not paying a ticket from a red-light camera. Last year, State Sen. Jim Lembke, an , publicly said many times that drivers do not have to pay red-light camera fines. Lembke is currently sponsoring a bill banning red light cameras statewide as well as fighting a conviction he received for running a red light in a photo enforecment zone.

“It’s the totality of the whole situation,” Walsh said, referring to the baggage that red-light cameras bring with them and why they will not be installed in Manchester. “Certainly, we want to make roads as safe as possible.”Walsh went on to say he feels red-light cameras are not the best way to do that.

During the photo enforcement zone suspension, MoDOT conducted studies on the effectiveness of red-light cameras already in place, finding that fewer people run red lights if they are present. However, a 2005 Virginia Department of Transportation study found the cameras did increase the number of rear-end crashes as well as the number of accidents overall.