City will use traffic cameras for revenue

A Cedar Rapids police captain recently said a backlash against traffic cameras has come because some cities have used the cameras for raising revenue, not reducing crashes.

Thus, my eyes and ears deceive me? I distinctly remember watching the local news sometime last year when this debate was getting hot and heavy, where it was reported that the city of Cedar Rapids plans to raise $750,000 annually from tickets issued from red-light cameras. I don't know what you perceive of this, but that to me is saying the city is using them for revenue - already budgeting for next year with money that isn't in their hands.

I don't particularly like getting lied to by the same government that claims to protect me. The police captain also stated the cameras are intended to change driver behavior. That they will. Instead of going all the way through the intersection, drivers will now slam on their brakes and cause accidents. The police department will now have more accidents to deal with than camera tickets.

Good for them: job security. I'm moving.

Cory A. Ryant

Cedar Rapids