Libertyville, do you know about cameras?

I recently attended a village board meeting in Libertyville and could not believe what I heard.

The village will be installing by next April "red light" cameras or what some call "spy cameras" at several locations in the village.

These cameras will record moving violations on village streets: skimming through red lights, not stopping for right turns, and other moving violations.

The village expects to receive $700,000 in fines or revenue from these "crime catching" cameras as violator pay for their infractions. This will go a long way to relieve the pending $900,000 deficit planned in the next annual budget.

This may be a big benefit to the village, certainly it will be for the village board. But what will be the benefit for village residents? That is a lot of money and as I see it, most of the money collected will come from village residents.

I did not hear that there will be a lesser need for a policeman or two. I would expect some sort of savings if the cameras are doing what a patrolman would be doing.

If there is a savings in police time on the street, this may be a good thing. And I am not aware of some public outcry over numerous accidents or reckless driving around town, or the need for such invasive tactics in Libertyville.

Does the public want these cameras? Do village residents know these are coming to their neighborhoods?

Jack L. Martin

Libertyville