'Seeing Red' proves it's about profit

Thank you for the "Seeing Red" series.

It is an excellent piece of investigative reporting. You proved, I believe, beyond a reasonable doubt, that traffic cameras for right turn on red violations are not about safety, but are about revenue.

Your follow up about the Wheeling police almost makes the reader sympathetic to the practice. After all, Sgt. Porzycki is just doing his job, and turning right on red without coming to a complete stop is illegal. Furthermore, Sgt. Porzycki is carefully screening the video and rejecting those that may be doubtful. But wait. Going back to your investigative series, what is wrong with this picture?

1. Since you have shown right turn violations are not a serious hazard, what Sgt. Porzycki is doing is no different than issuing citations for motorists driving 31 in a 30 MPH zone.

2. If the intersection in question is so dangerous, why hasn't Wheeling put up a "no turn on red" sign? Why are they wasting the time of police officers who could be outside fighting real crime?

3. If illegal right turns on red have become an epidemic, why don't towns ask for a statewide ban on turning right on red?

The answer to all of the above is "money."

As proof, I offer the example of the infamous camera of Schaumburg. They took down a camera that was a goose laying $1 million in golden eggs every few months. Why? Many motorists specifically stated they would never visit or shop in Schaumburg again. This directly threatens a Schaumburg goose that has been laying golden eggs for far longer: Woodfield Mall. Of course, the camera came down.

Big Brother, please stop telling citizens this is a safety issue.

The Daily Herald has spilled the truth. Please stop issuing tickets for right turns on red lights until the law has been re-evaluated and revised.

Brent Jessee

Hoffman Estates