TRAFFIC CAMERAS DISCUSSED

Run a red light lately? If so, a video camera could catch you in the act.

Law enforcement agencies across the nation have seen too many accidents caused by drivers who run red lights -- and Cape Girardeau is no exception -- so they've turned to video technology to help curb the problem.

Cape Girardeau police are studying the possibility of buying a video surveillance system to track drivers who disobey traffic laws and intentionally run red lights.

In Cape Girardeau there were 286 accidents and 53 injuries, but it's costing the city nearly $3.3 million, said Police Sgt. Buddy Davis.

Deborah Walker of Nestor Traffic Systems in Rhode Island presented information to the council during a study session about a surveillance camera system, Crossing Guard, that would identify problem drivers.

Much like society in backing the effort to curb drunken driving, society has to back the effort to stop people from running red lights, she said.

"It's long-term behavior we are changing," she said.

With 34 electric traffic lights, the police department doesn't have the luxury of placing officers at each intersection to catch violators, Davis said.

And there are issues of how to accomplish the task of catching a person running a light because it takes multiple officers and crossing lanes of traffic, said Police Capt. Steve Strong.

The video system helps departments track violators without having to station an officer or team in the area where problems have been cited.

Cities that have used the system say there are advantages because it helps alert people to the problem because they know the video will catch them, Walker said.

But there have also been privacy concerns and added work for city courts, she said.

Councilman Richard "Butch" Eggimann said he isn't sold on the idea and thinks the police department and city staff should re-evaluate how the current system is working before looking into an expensive purchase.