By Sally Gillie, Monitor
With its contract for photo enforcement traffic cameras expiring this year, some Monroe city council members said it's time to show they have listened to the majority of local voters who said they don't want the cameras here.
The city's contract with Redlfex Traffic Systems, Inc., an Arizona-based company that operates the photo enforcement program, began in 2007.-á The enforcement cameras have been at the center of considerable controversy in Monroe and in other cities with these cameras. The matter has been before local voters twice in recent years, each time with a majority of voters saying they don't want to continue the program.
At the council's March 26 meeting, Councilman Kurt Goering said it's time to show that Monroe is listening to its residents and pass a resolution to let the camera program expire.
"We need to make a declarative statement here,GÇ¥ he said. "This program is not something the people want us to continue with.GÇ¥
Councilmen Kevin Hanford, Ed Davis and Jim Kamp supported bringing forward a motion on the matter at the upcoming meeting April 2, and it was added to the agenda.
Councilwoman Patsy Cudaback also said she would like to see the matter put to rest, but believed the council should look at the larger picture and get more information before making a decision; including seeing a summary report of traffic incidents in the locations using photo enforcement cameras, as well as getting updated information about dollars collected through the program. It was agreed that information would be provided to the council for further discussion.
There are three photo enforcement locations in the city. School photo enforcement cameras for speed violators are at Frank Wagner Elementary on West Main Street and on Fryelands Boulevard in front of Fryelands Elementary School. A red light enforcement camera is at U.S. 2 and Kelsey St.
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