Providence drives forward red-light cameras proposal

The Providence City Council is moving forward on a proposal to increase the number of red-light traffic cameras from 25 to 45. The council voted on the ordinance amendment Monday night, even though local advocates still have questions about the cameras. Marcela Betancur, the Policy Associate at the Rhode Island American Civil Liberties Union, said the red-light cameras have not been fully vetted as a useful technology. “We don’t believe that people who run a red light shouldn’t get a ticket,” Betancur said. “We believe that if the red light cameras are going to be used, and they’re going to be doubled, then we need to know how they’re working—are they being useful? Why are they needed in those specific intersections?” According to her, the RI ACLU has been asking for reports on that information since 2009, but the City Council hasn’t given them any data. Without that information, she said it seems to her that the City Council only wants more cameras to increase revenue.