4 intersections to receive red-light cameras

Costa Mesa has lost money in the first three years of having cameras monitor red-light runners, but the City Council voted Tuesday to install more at four new intersections because they feel the devices improve safety.

In a 4-1 vote the council approved cameras for Harbor Boulevard and Gisler Avenue, Harbor Boulevard and Baker Street, Harbor Boulevard and South Coast Drive, and Victoria Street and Placentia Avenue. Mayor Pro Tem Allan Mansoor voted against the proposal, saying he prefers fewer cameras and that the city needs to consider other alternatives.

All five council members expressed concern that the community looks at photo enforcement as a way for the city to make easy revenue, which they agreed was a misconception in Costa Mesa’s case. Since their installation a few years ago, the existing camera-controlled intersections have cost the city $250,000, said City Atty. Kimberly Hall Barlow.

“My feeling is that even if this costs us some money, it is money well spent,” Mayor Eric Bever said.

Still, city officials said they want to eventually make the cameras a break-even endeavor. Barlow said the city might have lost money in the initial years because of a legal challenge that prompted the city to stop enforcement and refund tickets for a period of time. In the lawsuit, it was decided that Costa Mesa set the yellow light duration at Newport Boulevard and 19th Street too short according to Caltrans standards.

One consequence of the cameras in Costa Mesa is that they have been statistically shown to increase the total number of accidents at the intersections they monitor, while simultaneously decreasing the number of injuries caused by collisions. Police attribute this to an increase in less-severe rear-end collisions caused by people trying to stop suddenly to avoid tickets.

“I think over time those numbers will get less and less as people get used to the system,” said Police Chief Chris Shawkey, who gave a presentation during the hearing.

Fines from red-light camera infractions usually cost about $350, police said.

ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at [email protected].