Suburbs' red-light camera revenues on the blink Fewer tickets, less money prompt some to take new look at enforcement
December 19, 2010|By Robert McCoppin and Lisa Black, Tribune reporters
Former Bellwood administrator Roy McCampbell once compared red-light cameras to a lottery or casino — a "guaranteed amount of money."
But as the cameras reduce the number of drivers who roll through red lights, the number of $100 fines is also dropping.
In Bellwood, which in late 2006 became the first suburb to install the cameras, photographed violations brought in $1.1 million at their peak in 2008, instead of the projected $1.5 million to $2 million. Revenues dropped almost by half last year, and officials say net revenues this year are near $250,000.
"I don't think it ever got close," said chief of staff Peter Tsiolis. "If you are anticipating $1.5 million and get $250,000, yes, there is disappointment."
The village's experience is being played out in other suburbs that once promoted them as a safety device that could also generate millions of dollars. But the revenue they've produced often has been less than anticipated, sometimes much less.
The good news, officials say, is that red-light violations are down in many places, making streets safer. And since the ticket revenue was a budget bonus for most communities and because a drop-off was expected over time, Tsiolis and others say villages haven't had to cut services because of ticket-revenue shortfalls.
Nevertheless, the loss of income has some officials rethinking use of the cameras. Some driver and anti-tax groups have questioned the effectiveness of the enforcement tools in reducing crashes while raising money. A backlash prompted Schaumburg, Lombard and Bolingbrook to eliminate the cameras. Buffalo Grove officials recently decided not to install them.
Nabbed by a red-light camera in Northlake last year, Jill Dickerson, 45, of Elmhurst, admits she doesn't like them. Chastened by her experience, Dickerson is now leery of yellow lights.
"It's either slam on your brakes in the middle of the intersection or keep going," Dickerson said. "I think there have to be some judgments made that can only be made by a cop who is sitting there."
Some drivers and pedestrians, however, welcome the crackdown on red-light runners, and towns continue to deploy the cameras. River Forest added them last year, and Des Plaines and Highland Park wired their first cameras this year.
Nationally, use of the cameras is expanding. Almost 500 communities use red-light cameras, including more than 70 in Illinois, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported.
Poster Comment:
Uh oh....revenue is down. This isn't good. Oh, and if anyone was confused as to the intent of these camera's, safety isn't high on the list.