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Council Poised To Keep Red Light Cams 5 More Years

The Kansas City city council is set to vote on extending the red-light camera program for another 5 years. And though public opinion on the cameras is divided, a council committee had no doubts.

Opponents say the cameras are a violation of civil liberties, an unfair method of placing blame and a ploy to raise money from traffic tickets. But councilman John Sharp says the Public Safety Committee's endorsement of the traffic-cams is based on the evidence.

Sharp told his fellow committee members: “The cameras have proven to dramatically alter people's behavior. The number of violations at intersections we have have gone down substantially. The great number of people who get red light tickets only get one.”

Police Major James Preuting told the committee that the number of collisions also dropped at 14 of the 17 intersections studied.

The committee approved extending the contract of company that installs and maintains the cameras for another five years, during which time some cameras will be moved and more may be added.

The full council is expected to give its approval this Thursday afternoon.

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