Posted by mukdad_1578 (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 7:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think the cameras are needed because so many people do run the lights all over town. My concern is the enforcement of the law for all people. I see politicians and law enforcement run the lights quite often. Who will hold them to the same laws that applies to the citizen of the city? Cameras are a great ideal but only great if all pay the price equally.

Posted by MintJulep (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I saw a pick-up from the water department run a light last week, what will they do with city vehicles?

MJ

Posted by Liberty (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

NO CAMERAS!

Posted by kalwayne911 (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To answer your question MJ. The same thing they do when a officer flashes his light so that they can run it. Nothing.

Posted by I_saw_what_you_did_in_Selma (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've already voiced my opinion on the cameras, so won't go into detail again. But, they cause more accidents than they prevent. Research any city that has had them and most have removed them. Plus, most of the money doesn't even stay in Selma's coffers. Essentially all that will come of this is money that could be spent in Selma will be collected and sent to another area that has no real vested interest in Selma at all other than a as a cash cow. Personally, I don't think Selma can afford to let one penny leave. But, go ahead, boost the economy in another area then spent time complaining about the Selma economy.

Posted by darkprincess25 (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Red light tickets start at $90 in Chicago,
And increases evry instance.
Priceless

Posted by Liberty (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope that all who oppose these cameras will show up to the council meeting on Tuesday.

Posted by selmian (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

why are you against the cameras? Does everyone not have the same responsibility to obey the law? Aren't we supposed to approach a traffic light with caution not hustling through it? We definitely need this. People here do not typically pull over for Ambulances anymore. When I do I usually almost get run over. I wish more speeding tickets were given in this town. People fly around this town. Yes I would have likely had a ticket in this case, but I would learn to slow down.

Why should we be opposed to something that will simply enforce laws already on the books and make driving in town safer?

Posted by jonsavant (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No cameras - Traffic lights are to be used as a safety guide, not a device to make you a criminal. People in this country are so stupid - All government wants to do is be involved in and control as much as your life as possible. Stop getting caught up in the game.

Posted by Liberty (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 10:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

selmian - Search out all of the older stories on these cameras and you will then know.

jonsavant - glad to see there are others who GET IT.

www.SelmaLiberty.com

Posted by bama (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The only problem I see is making to deadbeats pay the tickets. You know, the same ones who refuse to pay their garbage fees.

Posted by archangelsk (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I saw what you did...how about quantifying your assertions with some sort of publication...everywhere I've lived that has installed red light cameras, still has them, and I know, anecdotaly, that those intersections are much safer because of the fines associated with those running red lights. Maybe you haven't yet been a victim of one of our fine Selma drivers who, well after the light has turned, disregard the color and drive right on through. I know I have many times and on one instance got out of my vehicle to confront the person because of their jackassery.

People in Selma need government in their lives, the reason things are they way they are is because government has for too long turned its back and given a blind eye to its citizens and infrastructure. People aren't going to do it for themselves, that's been made perfectly evident by the fact that people need prompting by the government to keep their lawns, and ordinances to keep them from parking in their yards.

I got a seat belt ticket from an officer who was illegally parked and cut across four lanes of traffic. That same morning I was cut off twice by speeding and reckless drivers going eastbound on Dallas Ave. Now, where should that cop have really been? Parked with a larger detail catching speeders and reckless drivers on Dallas. While the cop was writing me my ticket, there were at least 5 vehicles who sped past on Water Ave.

Money needs to be spent catching folks who are running afoul of the law speeding and driving recklessly, dealing drugs, committing burglaries, real threats to this community, not folks who can't wear a seat belt because of a personal injury.

Posted by saveselma (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

archangelsk, you said "people in Selma need government in their lives".

Please, oh please, don't paint with such a broad brush.

I don't need the government in my life. The government can not raise children. The government can not make healthy or strong marriages. So far, the government hasn't put any food on my table or given me a job. In short, the government can not make people do THE RIGHT THING.

If it isn't inside a person to make the right choices, then the government won't make them do it either.

You can make all the rules/laws in the world and still some folks won't follow them.

And don't even get me started on government run health care!

Posted by archangelsk (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, there's really no debating irrational teabagger types like you SaveSelma...NO, the government can't raise children, but as a teacher I am asked to, and have my work undone when they walk out the door. Pride likely has you not going and applying for the public benefits, when you were working, PAID FOR. Quitcherbitchen and get on the dole!

In all seriousness, a city of it size, Selma should not have as high of violent crime rates as it does. I don't exactly see private industry stepping in here and tipping the 'ole invisible hand and creating opportunity. This area needs a concerted effort put towards getting the necessary resources for a major public works project that would address many current needs in addition to addressing future needs in creating opportunities for growth and investment.

Again...it doesn't look like private companies are exactly doing this on their own, without the necessary PUBLIC assistance.

Then again all this is impossible in an environment with types like BRC, Leashore, et. al. in positions of power and influence. You need real leadership in this city, but all the people who are capable have long since thrown their hands in the air and walked away a long time ago.

Folks, cameras make a difference, look at CCTV networks in the UK and elsewhere in Europe where they have had a great effect on deterring violent and petty crime in areas where cameras are present. Despite some claims on here, red light cameras are safe and effective at deterring red light violations, check this link here for the report, http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/05048/i....

Posted by nowhining (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

archangelsk, if you genuinely have an injury that prevents you from wearing a seatbelt, then you can get a written form from a Dr., and you will be exempted. But if you do, don't get upset when you are injured by one of those driver's in Selma, or elsewhere, who runs the redlight, speeds, or drives recklessly, has no insurance, and your injury could have been prevented because you refused, or couldn't wear a seatbelt.
I'm for safer highways, but I want as little gov. in my life as possible. Redlight camera's increase money for the community (city), charge the car, not the driver for running the light, and every-time a light is run, is not the driver's fault. Go down highland or Broad, be behind an eighteen wheeler who is going straight, you can not see the light until you are under it, and it is too late to stop. If you do slam on breaks, the person behind you will probably hit you from behind. Which is worse, holding someone up for 1-2 seconds, who is already stopped, or receiving a whiplash. I'll report, you decide.

Posted by saveselma (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 7:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

archangelsk, Yes, I agree that more needs to be done in Selma .... and I agree with your comment "This area needs a concerted effort put towards getting the necessary resources for a major public works project that would address many current needs in addition to addressing future needs in creating opportunities for growth and investment. " We both also agree that businesses aren't likely to step forward to provide this resource for the citizens of Selma (and why should they? They didn't create the problem!) so what to do? Wait on the government to fix it? I think not. It created many of the problems in the first place. I ain't giving them another shot at the cure! On another note, congrats on choosing the profession of teaching. I am one, too. I never saw my job as raising kids, though. I do have an influence but have never believed I could raise them. The streets are raising them before they come to me. Maybe it is the age issue, but high schoolers don't want to be raised. They barely want to be taught. I guess we can agree to disagree and do so agreeably. Peace!

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

First off, no company is going to bring jobs to Selma with the current mentality, crime and amount of race baiting in this town. If you want jobs to come here, then these people responsible for this high crime and irresponsible behavior need to re-evaluate and adjust priorities. No company is going to relocate or set up shop in a town with this many problems....period. Until this community can get itself back on track and PEOPLE ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY...then forget it.

Just like these traffic lights...we are having a debate on whether we need cameras to make people ACT RIGHT. When are PEOPLE going to ACT RIGHT by themselves without having the governement to hold their hands or have cameras to indirectly control behavior? It's just another babysitter for grown a*(&% people. And once they do run the light and get a ticket....do you think they are actually going to accept the responsibility to PAY FOR IT?!?!? Hahahaha. Yeah right.

Posted by Liberty (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

*applause*

eyeonyou - we have to CONTINUE to spread this message of responsibility and accountability.

Keep on, keepin' on. ;)

Posted by Dogbert (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Other debate about govt. interference in private life aside, this is a simply matter of economics and safety. This was very well covered and discussed weeks ago.

Safety: all research out there right now clearly indicates that while the t-bone type accidents decrease some with the use of cameras, rear impact collisions increase a lot. And there is a financial impact to that, which is generally negative.

Economics: Its a loser for everyone but the camera company. Cities that purchased the systems outright have frequently disabled the largest percentage of their cameras within a year. Those on the 'company owns cameras, city pays company portion of fines' deal have frequently found that they can't even break even after accounting for manhours spent reviewing film and processing tickets.

While I have no problem with the police utilizing technology to make their jobs easier - especially as short handed as our PD is - the city council needs to look past the cash cow line of BS the company is feeding them and do a little research on their own.

Posted by Dogbert (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It should also be relevant that some state legislatures have outright banned the use of red light cameras: Nevada, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and most recently Mississippi. Louisiana is considering a ban. The state supreme court of Wisconsin has found that type of device to be unconstitutional.

Posted by bama (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Please provide links to back up your claims. I see a lot of bs in these posts.

Posted by justice4all (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL the goverment is in control already! its far too late for u to not "involve" them...QUESTION: DID YOUR GOVT ASK UR CAN THEY DO AWAY WITH ANTENNAS FOR TELEVISION? nope they warned u, and if u didnt have one u were looking at a black tube...lol

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You are right "justice4all". The Government has their hand in our paychecks, our homes, educational systems, churches, etc, etc. Now they are trying to "dictate" your health. Since when has any politician or political machine exemplified "morals and ethics" for a better cause? Never. This will be nothing more than another abused and failed program on the backs of the taxpayers....of which won't benefit from any of it.

Posted by mccrary36703 (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well I agree with you eyeonyou, but let me say this much, we do have people that really need supervision. Not everyone need government running their daily life, however like a professional teacher said earlier, teachers are raising other folks respondsibilites. So people when you know people and see people lacking in their duties as parents and neighborhood watch monitors, then the government need to step in. Bring on the cameras.

Posted by popdukes12 (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If Dr. Newton brings this before the council, the nose of the camel will be under the tent and before long the whole camel will be in the tent. Next, why is councilperson Keith allowing Dr. Newton to bring this before the council? Does she not want to get involved (blamed) with the proposal? Is she just intimidated by Dr. Newton? Is she just lazy? Does she not know how to bring it up without the puppet master's instructions? What's up with that? Without a majority of the committee not being in attendance, the remaining member should have never proposed to bring anything before the full council as the "findings" of the committee and certainly not presented by a nonmember. popdukes12

Posted by Dogbert (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bama: what? Did your google break? Seriously, I'd be glad to post some links for you, Bama - wouldn't want you thinking you'd stepped in something.
following is mixed bag of local studies and national composite studies on safety, articles regarding systemic abuse of cameras, and general why they are a bad idea articles. I also tossed in a couple articles on how lengthening yellow light times helps.
('The Newspaper' in many of the urls is not an actual newspaper, it is simply a repository for articles)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con...
http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/... (way at end of article re: oversight)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/200...
http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/05049/i...
http://hscweb3.hsc.usf.edu/health/now/?p...
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-...
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/...
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/...
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/26/2672...
http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/021...
http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/200...
http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/200...
http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/200...
http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/bur...
http://www.monash.edu.au/muarc/reports/m...
http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/04-...
http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/reports/...

Happy reading, Bama - let me know when you are done with these and I'll give you more if you want.

Posted by Pitbullgyrl27 (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dogbert great job!

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In Selma, they have cameras all around banks....does this stop the thugs from robbing? NOPE. They have cameras on the roof top and inside Walmart....does this stop the thugs from vandalizing cars and shop lifting? NOPE. They have cameras on private businesses....does this stop thugs from breaking in and stealing? NOPE. I don't think a "camera" is the deterrent for what is ailing Selma. A total overhaul of ATTITUDES AND MENTALITIES will be about the only thing to "help" Selma.

Posted by Liberty (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Any of you interested in holding signs and passing out fliers? Please contact me @ libertyforeveryone@yahoo.com

Posted by Pitbullgyrl27 (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Liberty I'm pretty sure you are not going 2 get any emails!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!right but if you really want 2 know the situation of some of these people its very complex!maybe if some of these people is really interested in their town becoming something they will not down grade things that happen in their town I'm pretty sure things that goes on in Selma is a every day thing for some people town city etc but make top stories here ... better yet Selma times journal fail 2 put all the things that goes on in Selma !it seem that they pick some things that happens N THE CITY OF SELMA maybe if some people look into the mirror and can be honest to them self maybe Selma can be a better place instead of accusing people and can REALLY realizes who they are! A picture isn't painted perfect! Bama your answer has been answered on who was the person who went 2 CCA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Pitbullgyrl27 (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So check that !

Posted by Liberty (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 6:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm very concerned about these cameras and hope that others are as well, they are privacy violating tools. I do NOT want them in my city.

I want to know where they will be placed, because I will do everything that I can to avoid those areas. I'd also like to know where the already in place "audio and video surveillance" cameras are, and I wonder if the people living in those areas are aware of them.

I do hope there are emails, I'd be very disappointed to know that citizens of Selma have zero interest in preserving our privacy, rights and freedoms.

Posted by Pitbullgyrl27 (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 12:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm Willing 2 help You on this Liberty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!