Traffic cameras play key enforcement role

I am amused by people who complain about Cedar Rapids using traffic enforcement cameras.

So, you got caught running a red light or speeding by a camera instead of a black-and- white running you down? You broke the law. What difference does it make how you were caught? It isn't a cat-and-mouse game between a speeder and the law.

The cameras were installed for several reasons. Reason No. 1 is safety.

Traffic accidents go down when speed is lowered. Nothing is more dangerous on the downtown part of Interstate 380 when the majority of traffic is at or near the 55 limit and those with no regard for the rules go weaving in and out of traffic.

Are the cameras just a revenue generator, as some say? Again, you broke the law. What difference is it in how you were caught?

Should surveillance cameras in banks and retail stores be banned?

I'm sure most of you will agree to keep cameras in the banks. Isn't a police officer's time better spent catching a bank robber than spending time writing a speeding ticket?

The city budget for law enforcement isn't an unlimited budget, so shouldn't they use cameras and electronics to have our dollar go the furthest toward public safety?

Frank Zieser

Cedar Rapids