Council Considers Red-Light Cameras

The Town Council hosted a public hearing Tuesday night to discuss using video surveillance technology, a privately run service called the Safe Light Program, to help thwart red-light runners.

The hearing was designed to allow residents to voice any concerns the project might bring. Proponents of the program say its preventive powers are incomparable, while skeptics worry about law enforcement in the hands of a private contractor.

The council will make a final decision regarding the cameras in February.

One resident, Eunice Brock, said she supported the program because it would help prevent some of the nearly 4,000 deaths nationwide that occur annually because of red-light running.

"The program is a sustained effective method of changing driver behavior," Brock said. "It will also allow the town to better utilize its police force."

In the Safe Light Program, private contractors issue citations instead of police.

The contractor will install the cameras no more than 7 feet off the ground and 100 feet from the intersection. The contractor also will maintain the cameras and analyze photographs of perpetrators at three levels to accurately verify violation.

A citation of $50 then will be issued with a payment period of 21 days and a late fine of $100.

The citation will have no bearing on drivers' insurance or driving records because it is a civil penalty, not criminal.

Horton said that Safe Light has proven successful in Fayetteville, where transportation engineer Kumar Neppalli helped implement the program before he transferred to Chapel Hill in August.

Neppalli said he estimated five to seven intersections in Chapel Hill to be eligible for surveillance.

He said state-approved signs would be installed according to state design standards to alert drivers about the cameras at designated intersections.

"I don't want anyone coming back saying this is entrapment," council member Flicka Bateman said.

Neppalli said drivers will be adequately warned of the cameras.

"There will be 'red light photo enforced' signs on all four approaches even if the camera is on one," Neppalli said. "The sign will be stationed 300 to 400 feet before the intersection."

Horton suggested removal of "no parking on sidewalk" signs that already have initiated response and replacing them with the warning signs.

If a local ordinance is passed by the Town Council, Town Manager Cal Horton said the staff will seek private-sector proposals and intersection evaluations to determine the contractor.

But council member Bill Strom said the program made him uncomfortable. "It feels like we are privatizing law enforcement," he said.

Chapel Hill resident Josh Steinhurst said he was wary of a private contractor being hired to enforce the law.

"A for-profit company might have economic reason to be issuing citations," he said. "With a fee of $50, people won't feel that it's worth it to take off work to fight it."

Council member Kevin Foy also questioned the use of photographs as evidence in other illegal matters.

"The only stipulation is that it can only be considered a civil matter," said Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos.

Neppalli said that all council questions would be compiled into a packet that the town staff would present with an ordinance proposal in February.

But further research would be needed before specific locations can be determined, Neppalli said.

"What and where the severity of the problem is, I do not know."

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