MAITLAND, Fla.,None — The city of Maitland is installing red light cameras at six more intersections across the city starting this month, and critics said the cameras could bring in $1.3 million in one year, but police said they are only worried about safety.
The cameras will go up along the busiest road in the city.
The city has made about $2,000 since it installed other cameras in January. Police said it's not about money, it's about safety.
Two cars almost T-boned one another at the intersection of Maitland Avenue and Marion Way as they sped through a red light, and it was caught on camera. It happened at the city's only intersection with red light cameras, which captures about 200 red light runners a month.
"People have noticed that the cameras are there and are paying attention," said Lt. John Schardine, of the Maitland Police Department.
Police said safety is why they plan to add 12 cameras to six of the busiest intersections in the city, mainly along Maitland Boulevard. According to reports, 70 percent of crashes in the city happen at those intersections.
"Now that we know all of this is happening at the intersections, this is our plan to attack it," said Schardine.
The cameras will bring in an estimated $1.3 million in one year, although based on that figure the city will pay $386,000 to the company that operates the cameras. The city would bank $998,000.
"They want to get money out of people," said a driver, Digby Bertrem.
Bertrem is one of several drivers who told WFTV that the cameras are doing the job that police officers are hired to do.
Others said they have no problem with the city making money off people who break the law.
"If it stops people from running red lights and save a life, it's worth it," said Anthony Zaffino, a Maitland resident.
The revenue will go to train police officers and pay for the additional staff who will be hired to watch the video captured by the cameras, officials said.
Police said they'll take down the cameras if they don't at least break even.
"This is not an investment for money, this is an investment for safety," said Schardine.
Two of the six cameras will go online in 30 days. The city said they are still waiting on permits from the Florida Department of Transportation for the other four.