For years Rochester, N.Y. has had a Red Light Safety program with cameras at a number of busy intersections. If someone goes through a red light, the camera records the person’s license number and they’re automatically sent a ticket for $50-bucks.
The program was pretty successful. Accidents were reduced by 21-per cent at these intersections and the City collected over $800,000 year in fines.
Yesterday our Mayor, Lovely Warren, said she will cancel the program at the end of the year. Why?
Lovely said most of the tickets were going to inner-city poor people who couldn’t – or wouldn’t – pay the fines.
Say what? Could she possibly be saying that your economic status determines which laws you follow in this city?
Here’s a better interpretation: the people who seem to be affected most come from the same districts which form the Mayor’s political base. This strange move certainly won’t hurt her when election time comes again.
Taking into account public safety and revenue, I think I have a better message: “Can’t pay the fine? Don’t do the crime.”
