Making best use of red light cameras

The ongoing debate -- the police want red light cameras "for greater safety." Each camera can generate over $1 million per year in fines. This revenue might be used for miscellaneous programs, but that information becomes less defined.

The simple solution: install the cameras. This will increase everyone's safety which is supposedly the big concern for the police. Send the revenue directly to the local school system. For every $1 million sent to the school district, decrease the real estate tax from the homeowners by $1 million. Put this as a separate line item directly on the real estate tax bills so it is perfectly clear that the revenue is being returned to the taxpayers.

Better safety, lower taxes. Isn't this exactly what we homeowners are asking for?

John Walsh

Naperville