Greed purpose of speed cameras

To the editor:

Just as I suspected: Gatso-scripted responses from the police chiefs of the cities employing the cameras when the Department of Transportation wanted to cut in on their rule-making, including Cedar Rapids' chief. I don't mind cities making laws - if they are 'legal” laws.

Where was the city's outcry over lack of safety when the Diagonal Drive camera was out? Nothing at all about safety, just 'Where is our money?!” Safety? Not really. Greed? Yes!

The one really bad location was First Avenue and 10th Street heading west. For the first two years, the city was allowed to get by with a speed limit drop right at the light. If you were not paying attention, you would not see the sign stating the camera or of the speed limit drop within the cluster of 8-10 signs just 10-12 feet from the intersection. This was deception. Unless you braked quickly at the intersection, you got a ticket, as you would have been doing 37-39 mph right when it switched to 30. I complained about that for months and finally the camera warning sign was moved back half a block eastward from the intersection.

Dale Brodt ('There is no hefty fine if you obey the signs,” Dec. 6) and others have stated simply 'obey the law.” Shouldn't the city do the same? Cedar Rapids is the only city with these cameras on interstates. Why has no one complained to the Federal Highway Administration over this?

John Vavra

Marion