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Caught on camera: Council discusses adding additional red light cameras
By Kenny Green, kgreen@starlocalnews.com
The Mesquite City council discussed adding three red light cameras during its regular work session on Monday, Aug. 20.
The council directed the city staff to remove three cameras in Oct. 2011 due to a significant reduction in red light running violations. The city staff was directed to evaluate where the cameras could best be utilized based on accident history.
"In October the council directed us to remove all the red light cameras except the one at the Military and I-635," said Timothy Timulty, director of public works.
"We chose the four that, at the time, were the highest accident areas. People think we put in red light cameras to generate revenue but they are really for the safety of our citizens," said Stan Pickett, mayor pro tem.
Based on the data collected by Redflex, the city staff concluded that the cameras could best be utilized at the I-635 northbound service road at Oates Dr., the intersection of the I-635 southbound service road at Oates Dr. and the intersection at the I-635 northbound service road at Town East Blvd.
"After looking at the history our recommendation is to install the cameras at the three intersections," Timulty said.
The fourth intersection, the intersection of eastbound Town East Blvd. at Galloway Ave. was not recommended because the city staff concluded that intersection improvements that were completed had solved the red light running issues at the intersection.
"We believe the lane improvements at the intersection have taken care of it," Timulty said.
Each violation recorded by the cameras is reviewed by a Mesquite police officer before a citation is generated for the incident. The officer reviews all of the incidents recorded then forwards the ones that are violations to Redflex, who then sends the notice to the violator.
"If you want to contest it you can even go online and see a video of the incident," Timulty said.
Councilman Dennis Tarpley questioned whether or not it was wise to have an officer dedicated to reviewing the videos instead of on the street.
"I would like to have as many officers as possible on the street," said Derek Rohde, police chief. "In this case the salary for the officer and equipment are paid for by the red light cameras. We created the position to monitor the videos. The officer currently spends most of his time serving as the bailiff for the city's municipal court."
Rohde said that the city would have had to create a position and salary for the bailiff position if not for the red light camera monitoring position. The officer usually reviews the videos during his downtime in between court sessions.
Timulty said that the city has seen an impact since it initially began utilizing the red light cameras.
"We have seen a reduction [in accidents], just don't know how many," Timulty said. "Any reduction is a good thing."
The city council reached a consensus that the staff recommendation was appropriate. The council and the Texas Department of Transportation will have to formally approve the installation of the cameras, since TxDOT is responsible for the traffic flow on the I-635 service road.
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