FORMERLY THE ROCKY VIEW FIVE VILLAGE WEEKLY
Volume 35, Number 29	OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR THE MD OF ROCKY VIEW #44	Tuesday, July 15, 2008
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Council terminates intersection surveillance cameras
Liz Lindgren-Kubitz

A controversial pilot project that monitored drivers with video surveillance cameras at stop signs and red lights has been cancelled by Chestermere town council.

"The contracted pilot project for red light/stop sign enforcement has been given notice to end immediately," said Chestermere Mayor Patricia Matthews on behalf of town council. "The end of the project in no way implies that the enforcement will cease, as the RCMP will continue to monitor for red light, stop sign and all other types of infractions."

In an attempt to address speeding and intersection collisions in the community, the Town hired Global Traffic to assist Chestermere RCMP with its overall traffic safety program. The company has been enforcing speed zones since March 2007, however the intersection video enforcement began in January this year and was scheduled to expire on June 30.

Since the intersection pilot project with Global began, traffic tickets at intersections have increased. Residents and non-residents alike were dinged with hefty $285 tickets and Chestermere councillors received many complaints. Traffic ticket recipients could hook up to the internet to watch a video of violations.

The Chestermere policing committee recommended to council that Global Traffic’s contract be extended to Sept. 30, to allow it to further evaluate the pilot project’s effectiveness.

However, town council made a decision last week not to extend the contract, despite recommendations from the policing committee.

Many town residents despised the program and were happy to hear about council’s decision, others were impartial.

When asked if they were glad to see red light cameras coming to an end, Tom and Phyllis Howe said, "Absolutely."

The couple, who bought one of the first lots available for sale in Chestermere about 45 years ago, received one of the $287 traffic tickets after they said they were filmed proceeding slightly past a stop sign before stopping, in order to see if any vehicles were approaching.

"It was ridiculous," said Tom who is turning 85. "They (tickets) were just a cash cow."

"Even people who lived on acreages outside of the town complained that they weren’t going to shop here anymore because of it," added Phyllis.

Other residents said the cameras did the job they were intended to do.

An active town volunteer, who received two of the expensive traffic tickets, said she deserved to get them and went online to watch video taken of her vehicle rolling through the intersections.

"It doesn’t bother me," said the resident who wished to remain anonymous. "It doesn’t make any difference how the intersections are monitored - police officers will still issue tickets and then you get demerit points which affect insurance rates as well."

Matthews said the project was initiated as an effort to take a proactive approach to community policing.

"Council takes the safety of our citizens very seriously and has taken a proactive approach in the town policing needs," said Matthews. "We would like to thank the Policing Committee for the time they have devoted to reviewing this program thus far," she continued. "However as this was a pilot project initiated by past town council, prior to the committee being formed, we have reviewed it and decided the outcome. Council will do the same for any such pilot projects in the future."

Monitoring problem intersections may be improved when Chestermere’s RCMP detachment is bolstered by five new officers. On May 20 a request was made for additional RCMP officers by the policing committee and Sgt. Art Pittman of the Chestermere RCMP detachment. Town council confirmed funding for five new RCMP officers who could come on board as early as 2009.

Pittman said two of the new officers would be assigned to specialized traffic enforcement. However, there are no assurances the new officers will be available to come on board before 2010, he added.