Since 2005, Arnold, a city of 20,000, has issued more than 19,000 red light camera tickets totaling nearly $1.9 million. A public vote on the matter was blocked by the City Council. Traffic surveillance cameras have always been voted down by the people.

On March 17th State Sen. Jim Lembke’s bill SB637, to eliminate Red Light Cameras, was before the Senate Transportation Committee. Citizens reported that simply changing light timing increased safety. Loma Linda, CA found that extending the duration of yellow lights dropped violations to near zero. A study from the University of South Florida College of Public Health concluded that, red-light cameras significantly increase crashes and injuries. The Virginia Transportation Research Council found that cameras were linked to increased crash costs. Fifteen States have voted out cameras.

Still, cameras are popping up in Festus, Jefferson County, and across the state. Some municipalities seek to line freeways with these cash cows. None, as yet, have been found in the offices of public servants, where these profitable partnerships originate.
 
Gov Nixon, grappling with this difficult economy, plans to cut $500 million from the state budget vowed to hold the line on taxes. He has cut 1,800 state jobs and expects to eliminate 1,000 more. Are revenue seeking cities immune to cost cutting?

Unfortunately, camera revenue comes from citizens struggling in a very difficult economy. Missourians don’t fear traffic intersections; they fear not being able to house and support their families. Industries and jobs are disappearing, retirement funds are shrinking and families are losing their homes. Parents must face their children telling them they can no longer afford the mortgage. A $100 ticket represents a lot of groceries.

Driving is necessary and it has risks. Traffic solutions should be about safety and not about raising revenue from beleaguered families.

Polls show three quarters of the American people are angry. Government is not representing them. There is a growing mood among them to unseat all incumbents.

Each generation must preserve freedom. It can grow and it can be lost forever. Freedom can be defended off shore, and it can be surrendered at home. The founders, having fought a war for freedom, divided government power to enable freedom.  They knew that government unchecked will become an oppressor. Jefferson warned, “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground. Franklin cautioned never to sacrifice freedom for security.

If our duty is to preserve liberty for ourselves and coming generations, we must be, responsible, watchful and resist apathy. Government officials eager, to turn surveillance cameras on citizens, are a threat to this ‘Land of the Free.’ 

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Nick Ivanovich is a member of the Board of Directors, The Constitution Party of Missouri, and Acting Chairman, Constitution Party, Jefferson County Chapter.  For more information about the Constitution Party, visit www.ConstitutionPartyMO.org