News Redlight cameras kept on in Garden Grove Nov. 5, 2015 Updated 12:00 a.m. Garden Grove staffers are studying the effectiveness of redlight cameras, such as this one at Brookhurst Street and Chapman Avenue. CHRIS HAIRE, STAFF By CHRIS HAIRE / STAFF WRITER It seems as if red light cameras will be sticking around in Garden Grove for a while longer. On yet another 3-2 vote over what has become a controversial debate about the effectiveness of the cameras, the City Council recently opted to continue its contract with Redflex Traffic Systems. Los Alamitos is the only other Orange County city with a redlight camera program. Garden Grove, which in June automatically extended its contract with Redflex for another three years, pays $2,900 a month for 11 approaches – an approach is one direction heading into an intersection; an intersection typically has four approaches. The city receives cameras for three other approaches free of charge. “I think it does add quite an element of safety,” Councilman Kris Beard said at the last week’s meeting. “I think we should keep it in place.” In June, Mayor Bao Nguyen asked staffers to report on the effectiveness of red-light cameras. The city has since grappled with whether they are a deterrent or merely a way to fill the city’s coffers. Garden Grove can cancel its contract with Redflex anytime, but must give the company a 30-day notice, according to a staff report. At a meeting in August, city staff defended the program – arguing that the cameras have reduced broadside collisions, the most dangerous type, and has allowed police to more easily prove in court that someone has run a red. But at that meeting, Jay Beeber, who runs Safer Streets LA, an organization opposed to redlight cameras, presented a different set of statistics than what came from the city’s Engineering and Police departments – arguing, instead, that the cameras increased rear-end collisions. The differences, both sides admitted, were because of varying methodologies. Nguyen and the rest of the council told staffers to go back and compare their study with Beeber’s and report back. The report came back last week and Nguyen and Councilman Phat Bui were still not happy. “I do not see how cameras actually make anyone safer,” Nguyen said. “Education helps increase safety. A camera doesn’t do anything.” Beeber, who spoke during public comment, said, “The benefit of the system is not born out in the statistics.” But staffers again defended the program, saying in a staff report, “We can safely conclude that an increase in rear-end collisions does not negate the safety and economic benefits of a reduction in broadside collisions.” “We’re not in this to make money,” Police Chief Todd Elgin said. “It holds people accountable for running red lights and that’s the most important thing.” Councilmen Steve Jones and Chris Phan sided with Beard in the majority. Contact the writer: 714-704-3707 or chaire@ocregister.com Copyright © 2016 The Orange County Register & Digital First Media Privacy Policy & Terms of Use | Copyright | Arbitration | Site Help | Site Map | Digital First Media