Red-light cameras coming to Libertyville
Red-light cameras will be installed in Libertyville - possibly by the end of the year - but village leaders insist money isn't the motive.
"I wouldn't care if we never generated a dollar if the number of accidents went down," Mayor Terry Weppler said.
The argument of revenue versus safety associated with the cameras is controversial, he agreed. But one aspect of enforcement that has fueled the debate will not be present in the six cameras to be installed at four intersections.
"These are locations that have high accident rates," said Weppler, a former police officer. "It will not be for right turn on red. Our idea isn't to trap people."
The system also will allow cameras to automatically search for specific license plates during Amber Alerts or other emergency situations.
"We believe this is an important safety feature," he added.
Information provided to the board showed 1,188 accidents occurred at 10 intersections from 2005 to 2008. Surveys were conducted to determine the frequency of red-light violations and the list was narrowed. The four intersections identified for cameras all involve state routes: Milwaukee Avenue and Route 137; Butterfield and Peterson roads (which merges with Route 137 at that point); Route 45 and Peterson Road; and, Artaius Parkway and Milwaukee Avenue.
Weppler's comments came Tuesday as the village board considered a contract with Gatso-USA for the service.
A village board with four different members committed to red-light cameras in July 2008 when it approved a contract with LaserCraft Inc.
However, that company recently informed the village it won't continue projects in Illinois communities that aren't already operational, which Libertyville was not.
No reason for the change was given and the company representative who presented the plan to the village board last year did not return a call for comment.
Under terms of the contract, Libertyville would pay Gatso $30 per ticket compared with $31 per ticket to LaserCraft.
The main difference is the LaserCraft contract was for one year and could be canceled without penalty. The Gatso contract is for three years and the village can cancel, but could be subject to fees of $1,000 per month per camera for the remaining time.
Police Chief Pat Carey said Gatso would meet with the Illinois Department of Transportation to determine how much of the research and other work involved with the cameras could be carried over.
"Hopefully we won't be back to square one with IDOT because that's a six-month process," he said.
One audience member cautioned the board that camera revenue would be "seductive" and it is the wrong solution to the problem of red-light runners.
Weppler said the village can't afford to put police at the intersections, and the numbers justify camera use.
"I understand this is a very controversial subject but if you don't go through a red light, you will never get a ticket," he said.
Signs warning motorists the cameras are in place will be installed.