Red light camera funds future traffic safety projects
BY BRADLEY "B.J." DAVIS, JR. Gulf Breeze News bjdavis@gulfbreezenews.com

The red light cameras aren't popular with everyone, Gulf Breeze City Council members learned from a memo last week. So, to counter that criticism, the City of Gulf Breeze council decided to allocate the $12,200 received from the cameras to fund future traffic safety projects.

"It's not a revenue source for the city. It's a means to improve traffic safety," said Mayor Lane Gilchrist.

Motorists that run the red light at the Hwy. 98 and Daniel Drive intersection are mailed a photograph of the vehicle's license plate and fined $100. According to City ordinance, the photograph must show the vehicle entering the intersection along with a clear photograph of a red light. Gilchrist added that the ticket is not considered a traffic fine, but rather a city ordinance violation.

City staff originally recommended allocating $3,000 to fund overtime for increased police patrol of Hwy. 98, $3,000 to replace landscape destroyed in recent accidents and $3,000 for a mail-out which describes the accident reduction success of the red light camera and urges continued motorist safety.

"I spoke with the chief about overtime for traffic control. Landscaping is nice, but we should be collecting from people that destroy the landscaping when they have an accident," said Gilchrist. "We have other funds for landscape improvement, and I don't know that $3,000 will make a difference. What I recommend is to put more emphasis on patrol." He suggested nixing the $3,000 allocation for landscaping and doubling increased patrol funds to $6,000.

"I'm not enamored with the idea of replacing landscaping. I think all the funds should go to traffic safety improvements," said Council member Tim Hoffman. "It rather falls in line with the whole point of putting the signal camera out there. I'd be in favor of recommending $6,000 for patrol."

According to staff, the remaining $3,200 was to be designated for cash reserves.