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Houston Firefighters Support Prop. 3, Red-Light Cameras
By Mary Benton at KPRC News, Houston
Red-light cameras are often a divisive issue. Their future will be decided by the November election. On Tuesday, another group spoke out about the cameras — this time, in favor of them.
The Houston Professional Firefighters Association, a group that represents more than 4,000 firefighters, said it supports red-light cameras.
President Jeff Caynon is urging Houstonians to vote for Proposition 3 on Election Day. He said red-light cameras are a safety tool that change behaviors and save lives. Caynon is also featured in a new television commercial in support of red-light cameras, which begin airing in Houston on Monday.
The endorsement follows the show of support for red-light cameras by another public safety group — the Houston Police Officers’ Association.
Proposition 3 on the November ballot asks voters if red-light cameras should stay up or be removed. In September 2007, the city of Houston installed 70 red-light cameras at 50 intersections where motorists were more likely to run red lights and cause accidents, according to city officials.
Those caught on camera running a red light are issued a $75 civil fine.
By law, that money is designated to go hospital trauma centers in the Texas Medical Center and to the police department for safety programs.
The Houston Police Department has collected more than $5 million this fiscal year, which will be invested in programs like drunk driving awareness campaigns.
Meanwhile, another group said that red-light cameras are no more than money makers for the city. Attorney Michael Kubosh collected enough signatures to put the controversial cameras up for a public vote.
“In every city where the public had a right to vote on red-light cameras, the cameras have been removed,” said Kubosh, who believes Houston voters will deliver the same outcome on Nov. 2.
About This Post
Posted by Leay on Oct 5th, 2010 and filed under Gulf Coast.
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