Cameras continue to rip off motorists
Reporter Ted Cox wrote an interesting front-page story Aug. 30 about red-light cameras. Personally, I agree with the governor and several police chiefs that, when properly set, these devices can enhance public safety. However, when citations are unjustly issued it is a sleazy way for a municipality to fleece the public.
I think that Rosemont is doing just that at the intersection of Higgins and Mannheim roads. For many years there has been a justifiable "no turn on red" sign at this important intersection. More recently, a right-turn, green-arrow light has been added, but the old sign still exists. Hundreds of vehicles legally turn right when the main stoplight is red because of the green arrow signal. After a very short yellow arrow, the turn signal is turned off and the red-light camera armed.
On July 25, I went to O'Hare Airport to pick up a passenger. The green arrow was illuminated when I entered the turn from Higgins into southbound Mannheim, but a citation was issued. I protested in vain at a kangaroo-court hearing on Aug. 11. They treated me courteously, but the results were the same as if a policeman had held a gun to my head while the hearing officer went through my pockets and extracted $100 for Rosemont.
I have written asking that my $100 to be refunded. This Iwo Jima veteran needs it more than Rosemont. Thank you to Schaumburg for a better customer attitude. Let us hope that its mayor, Al Larson, and others can help slow down the application of this racket.
Russell C.W. Crom
Mount Prospect