Residents have mixed feelings about traffic camera ruling

Font Size:

By Thomas Geyer | Friday, August 29, 2008 8:36 PM CDT | () comments

Traffic camera along the 3300 block of Division St. in Davenport. (FILE PHOTO) Buy this Photo

Mike Ross of Davenport said Friday that he has no problem with his town’s red light and speed cameras.

“I’m all for them,” he said. “The only people it bothers are those who break the law.”

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday that the city’s ordinance governing the red light and speed cameras is legislatively sound.

With that decision in hand, the City Administrator Craig Malin said the there will be an in-depth discussion by the City Council early this fall before the cameras — which were shut down in January 2007 — are re-activated. He does not, however, expect the council to change its mind on their use and application.

“I think it’s a bunch of bull,” said Walter Thompson of Rock Island. “I don’t like it. It’s too much big brother. Any time they put up one of those cameras they should fire two cops because they don’t need them any more.”

Christine Urbain of Moline said she liked the idea of the cameras and wishes her city would consider putting them in.

“Just because a cop’s not there to see it doesn’t mean it’s right,” Urbain said of drivers who speed or run red lights.

“I like the cameras, too, because sometimes they get car accidents on tape,” she said, adding that the cameras make sure the cops know the truth about who caused the crash.

Ranbir Thankur of Davenport said that the people who don’t like the cameras “don’t like them because they get caught. And then they make excuses.

“If people don’t want to get caught speeding or running red lights, then they simply shouldn’t speed and shouldn’t run red lights,” he said.

Thomas Geyer can be contacted at (563) 383-2328 or tgeyer@qctimes.com.