Politics & Government

First Public Hearing on Red Light Camera Ban Yields Few Comments

Jefferson County Council seeking to prohibit use of technology in unincorporated areas.

The first of three public hearings on a potential red light camera ban in Jefferson County produced few comments at Monday’s Jefferson County Council meeting.

The new seven-member council is considering amending the county’s traffic code to prohibit the use of the cameras in unincorporated parts of the county. The former three-member council approved the use of the cameras late last year. The former council was eliminated Jan. 1 and replaced with the new council as part of the county’s new form of charter government.

Three people spoke during the public hearing – two, who were in favor of the ban and one, who was against. 

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Bob Hohmeier, of Arnold, and Greg Zotta, of Imperial, called the cameras a “money grab” by the entities that use them. They were referring to some cities’ use of the cameras in generating revenue as opposed to improving traffic safety.

Bob Sluder, of Cedar Hill, said the cameras would improve safety, especially along the Highway 30 corridor.  He said he had witnessed several instances in which motorists had driven through red lights on Highway 30 at the intersections of Caroline Drive, Dillon Road and Valley Del.

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“Two years ago, I saw a vehicle run a red light at the intersection of Highway 30 and Caroline Drive which broad-sided another car, killing the girl,” Sluder said. That’s why I think we need the red light cameras. I don’t like the attitude that we only have to do it (stop at a red light) if there’s a police officer involved (around).”

On a related note, the council unanimously voted to repeal a measure granting the county permission from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to install red light traffic cameras.

Third District Councilman Bob Boyer, of Arnold, thanked members of the audience for their input on the red light camera ban and said much more discussion needs to occur. Boyer, who is spearheading the effort to ban the cameras, announced that he had put together a packet of information on red light cameras for anyone interested, including statistics from MoDOT and Arnold, the first city in the region to use the cameras.

Two additional public hearings on the ban have been scheduled for the council’s next Feb. 28 and March 14 meetings.


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