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Citrus Heights Messenger

Red Light Cameras to Remain in Citrus Heights

Jul 01, 2021 12:00AM ● By Story and photo by Shaunna Boyd

Citrus Heights' Red Light Photo Enforcement Program has been in effect for 13 years. There are currently eight intersections throughout the city with cameras, and a recent 3-2 vote by the City Council approved a new five-year contract to maintain the program.

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - All five members of the Citrus Heights City Council were back in Chambers for the June 24 meeting, with members of the public able to attend in person or through Zoom. Councilmember Tim Schaefer asked that Agenda Item 5 be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion of the proposed contract renewal of the Red Light Photo Enforcement Program.

Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD) Chief Ron Lawrence said, “We recognize that the red-light camera program is controversial for some, but it’s very supported by many others.” Chief Lawrence supports the program because “it serves to educate our public, reduce traffic collisions, prevent injuries, and save lives.”

With a limited number of officers to enforce traffic laws, the red-light camera program “helps to enforce blatant traffic violations that would otherwise go unaccountable,” said Chief Lawrence. “The bottom line is, if you don’t want to be held accountable for breaking the law, don’t break the law.”

Lt. Jason Baldwin, who leads the CHPD Traffic Unit, answered questions about the red-light camera program, explaining that prior to implementation of the program in 2008, there were unreasonably high levels of collisions at some city intersections. More than half of those injured in red-light violation collisions are pedestrians, bicyclists, or people in other vehicles.

In particular, side-impact vehicle collisions are the most deadly, and the cameras are extremely successful in reducing this type of collision. He said the cameras also a produce a “halo effect,” in which the presence of cameras at some intersections can improve drivers’ overall behavior, even in nearby unmonitored intersections. The program has been in effect for 13 years with cameras installed at 8 intersections, capturing 10 approaches of travel; in that time, Lt. Baldwin said overall collisions have been reduced. 

In 2019, Lt. Baldwin said there were 23,436 “events,” in which the cameras flashed to capture a potential violation. After review, 12,907 violations were approved by CHPD, with 7,857 resulting in citations. The remaining violations were issued warnings. Of the 7,857 citations, 6,199 were issued to individuals from outside the city. Only 26 percent were issued to Citrus Heights residents.

The new five-year contract negotiated with Redflex Traffic Systems, the camera vendor and administrator, will total $492,000 annually—down from $547,200 annually in the previous contract. Lt. Baldwin highlighted that it is “a cost neutral program;” he explained that even in years when the collected funds don’t cover the program cost, the City will not have to cover the difference.  

Citrus Heights resident David Warren spoke during public comment to oppose the new contract. He said that even with the cameras, people are still running red lights: “They’re not working. It’s a waste of time, effort, and money.”

Councilmember Schaefer said that he charted the rate of citations since the program’s inception and found the number of citations has been trending up.  He said he would expect to see a reduction in citations if the program were effective.

Citrus Heights doesn’t have enough police presence to effectively patrol the streets and enforce traffic laws throughout the city, so Vice Mayor Porsche Middleton said she believes removing a deterrent with nothing in its place is “not the right answer.”

For Councilmember Bret Daniels, the camera program means “you are pretty much immediately charged, convicted, and sentenced. And there’s no officer there; there’s no discretion.” He advocated for examining other approaches to calming intersections, such as increased yellow-light intervals and longer all-red intervals.

Councilmember Jeannie Bruins agreed that the City should look into additional measures to calm intersections. But she clarified that footage of possible violations are reviewed multiple times—with many resulting in no violations at all and others concluding in warnings—so officer discretion is still part of the program. She also pointed out that citations can be challenged in court. Further, she asserted that most citations are issued to drivers from outside of the city, so she believes Citrus Heights residents should be protected from others abusing the city’s roads.

Mayor Miller said, “I’m not prepared to remove these cameras and tempt fate. … I’m not prepared to put even one life on the line.”

Councilmember Daniels brought up another concern, stating that information was sent to the Council about the proposed contract rate being significantly higher that what other cities pay for the same services. Chief Lawrence said he will look into it, but “we have no indication of that to be the case.” Mayor Miller contended that lower costs in other cities can likely be attributed to those areas having fewer intersections with cameras, and fewer approaches being monitored.

After substitute motions from Councilmembers Schaefer and Daniels both failed, the original motion passed 3-2, with Schaefer and Daniels dissenting.