In the end, traffic cameras could make Waterloo safer

By Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

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It is beginning to look like Waterloo may join other cities across the state and nation in employing cameras to catch and ticket traffic offenders.

Waterloo Mayor Buck Clark said he believes there is enough interest from City Council members to move forward with one of the two companies vying to install traffic cameras in the city. The idea also has the support of Waterloo Director of Safety Services Dan Trelka and Captain of Police Services Joe Leibold.

“I'm getting closer to supporting them, more for the safety side,” Councilman Bob Greenwood said at a City Council work session earlier this week. “But I'm still open for input.”

We're all for increasing safety. There are some legitimate points to argue, however.

Citizens who wish to have their voice heard on this issue, take note of Greenwood's statement. The time for input is now.

The use of cameras is still unappealing to many citizens, wherever they are placed.

We have to balance the benefits of enhanced safety with the “Big Brother” aspect of the cameras. Arguments that such cameras would be an invasion of privacy are weak, since any cameras would be employed on public roadways where motorists are entrusted with obeying traffic laws. The locations of cameras would be public knowledge as well as what infractions are being enforced.

Of course, there is also the factor of increased revenue for the city from the collection of fines - which may be at the core of the rising popularity of installing cameras in communities across the country.

An Iowa Supreme Court ruling in 2008 said the cameras were legal and cleared the way for many cities to begin investigating their use.

Any support comes with some reservations.

Under Iowa law, the vehicle owner is liable for any fine issued to the vehicle based on the cameras, even if they weren't behind the wheel.

That isn't going to happen in the majority of cases, but it's still wrong. Cities and counties are increasingly deciding that this is an acceptable procedure, while avoiding the hassle of tracking down the actual violators.

On the safety side, statistics have been showing a reduction in crashes at some intersections where cameras have been installed. Several incidents in our own communities this week have reinforced the fact that our roadways can be dangerous places.

In the end, despite the legitimate concerns, the safety factor should win out.