Police Commission Wants to Shutter Red-Light Cameras

The Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners voted Tuesday to recommend that the city stop using red-light cameras at intersections.

The commissioners' recommendation, which could still be considered by the Los Angeles City Council, signals a major victory for Jay Beeber, a member of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, who has been campaigning against the use of the cameras.

"The commissioners decided that the red-light cameras at intersections did not make traffic any safer," Beeber told Sherman Oaks Patch after the board's morning meeting. "They also said the millions of dollars spent on the program was not worth the money." 

Los Angeles police officials have been supporting use of the cameras, claiming they have led to a drop in traffic accidents. However, opponents of the cameras claimed  at the hearing that the reduction in accidents was caused by new technology that improved the signal timing at traffic lights.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Commissioner Debra Wong Yang questioned whether the cameras were a benefit to the public.

"I’m not convinced from looking at the numbers that these cameras work," Wong Yang reportedly said.

Commissioner Alan Skobin raised the issue of whether sending unpaid traffic tickets to a collection agency might be illegal.

Commission President John Mack mentioned the city's financial crisis as a reason for voting against the red-light cameras.

The citizen opposition to the cameras was led by Beeber, who told the commission, "More than 75 percent of the tickets people get, which end up costing $500, involve situations where the motorist is simply making a rolling right turn on a red light, and they are being ticketed for running the red light, which is wrong.

"Further, there's no proof the cameras actually reduce accidents, or make traffic any safer. And it's costing millions," Beeber said.

All five members of the Board of Police Commissioners voted against continuing use of the red-light cameras.

The Los Angeles City Council could override the commission, which would lead to a hearing on the red-light cameras before the city's Public Safety Committee. The council has 10 days to make that decision.

However, it is unlikely that the council would overturn the commission's decision, according to a council member's aide who asked not to be identified.