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Traffic cameras at intersections still a no-show By Jessica Smith Medford motorists were warned more than a year ago that the city planned to put cameras at busy and dangerous intersections to nab drivers who run red lights. But nearly 18 months after the state Legislature approved Medford as one of four cities for a two-year pilot program aimed at reducing red-light violations, the city has yet to install the surveillance devices. And there�s no timeline for when the cameras will go up. "I�ve said for the last seven months that we would have them (the cameras) in a month. So I hate to even give a guess," said Medford police Deputy Chief Ron Norris. "All I can say is we�re moving as fast as we can." The city hasn�t dropped out of the program, according to Norris. He said Medford wants to "piggyback" onto the city of Portland�s contract with San Diego manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Portland, also part of the state�s red-light pilot program, has been working for more than a year to secure a contract with a camera manufacturer. Should Portland settle a contract with Lockheed, Norris said, Medford would be offered similar rates. Norris said he plans to attend a negotiation session Monday between Lockheed and the city of Portland. The City Council would have the final say on whether Medford signs its own agreement with Lockheed. In the meantime, Medford has budgeted $19,000 to purchase a photo-radar system to catch speeders in the act. Whether the city is able to administer the red-light camera program likely will depend on costs, Norris said, though he declined to be more specific. Past estimates put the per-camera cost at $50,000. City leaders may seek federal funding to help with implementation or use local contingency funds to install the cameras before the pilot program sunsets at the end of the year. In July 1999, the Legislature chose Medford, Portland and two other cities � Beaverton and Bend � to test whether cameras at intersections deter motorists from running red lights. Last year, the Federal Highway Administration said such programs are expected to reduce red-light violations between 20 percent and 60 percent. Though Oregon�s four cities were given permission to begin using red-light cameras in October 1999, Norris said costs and a drawn-out bidding process led to delays in implementation. According to Norris, the Legislature this year is expected to either extend the pilot program past Dec. 31 or establish a "full-blown" program in Oregon. Norris said Medford police would like to install cameras at about 10 intersections where high traffic volume has historically led to accidents and traffic violations. Motorists will be warned they are entering monitored intersections by notices posted within at least 100 yards of the cameras. Typically, red-light cameras are triggered by sensors in the concrete and snap photographs of drivers who run lights signaling traffic to stop. The cameras take shots of drivers� faces and the license plates on their cars. Copies of the photos would be mailed with citations to establish the driver�s identity, police have said. Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.