C.R. traffic cameras about money, not safety

A suggestion to city leaders in regard to traffic cameras. If you would take a poll outside of police departments, the city administration and the camera company, eight out of 10 people will tell you this is not about safety, it's about money.

I drive the Iowa City to Cedar Rapids corridor 12 to 15 times a week and the Cedar Rapids intercity corridor at least that many times. Cameras will not make it safer. If you are truly interested in safety, place a police car at the Diagonal exit median and one at the St. Luke's Hospital curve median; then you will increase safety by slowing traffic. Do this between 6:30 and 9 a.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m.

The issue of cameras needs to be voted on by the citizens of Cedar Rapids. If they feel cameras will make it safer, so be it. If they feel this is a money-grabbing scheme, let them vote to ban cameras.

No, I am not writing because I was cited. My last moving violation was in 1958. I am concerned about safety. A show of force, not a hidden camera, is the only way to improve safety.

I do not believe any department or entity that receives money from camera ticketing or has ties to them should be reviewing the film. This should be done by independent individuals.

James Kane

Cedar Rapids