Red light cameras still a possibility at busy area intersections

By Doug Spoon, Editor

As the population of Menifee continues to increase, so do the complaints about heavy traffic and motorists who – if nothing else – definitely stretch the limits of the law.

The topic came up again at last week’s City Council meeting, when a discussion item centered on the possibility of supplemental ways to catch speeders, red light runners, and those driving under the influence.

Responding to a previous agenda request to discuss the situation, Menifee Police Captain Heriberto Gutierrez told council members that the 15 volunteer police members perform important supplemental duties such as directing traffic in hazardous areas and patrolling businesses. But because they are not sworn officers and without academy training, these volunteers cannot be used to aid in giving out traffic citations.

The latter was a question posed by Mayor Pro Tem Robert Karwin, who asked whether volunteers could be given any additional powers. That is not possible, said Gutierrez, in reference to the volunteers who drive white vehicles with amber lights.

“You need a police vehicle with a solid red light and siren,” Gutierrez said. “They must be clearly marked that way. Because of this, we can’t use volunteers for traffic enforcement.

“We believe the best use of our volunteers is the manner in which we are using them. We always try to find different ways to enforce traffic laws. Maybe we’ll have [volunteers] sit at certain locations and report in to us.”

Karwin continued to express the hope that additional methods of traffic enforcement will be found.

“I was hoping there could be some sort of hybrid -- someone who could make a human observation, document it and send a citation in the mail or something,” he said. “It could be kind of like a human red light camera.”

Although that is not possible, it is a fact two additional motor officers are joining the current force, said Police Chief Pat Walsh. He also said that the oft-discussed option of red light cameras still is being considered, especially at the busy intersection of Newport Road and Haun Road.

“I have wanted to put a red light camera at Newport and Haun, Newport and Antelope, McCall and Bradley since day one,” said Walsh, who recently came out of retirement fill in for interim Chief Chris Karrer while the latter recovers from injury. “The problem is, they are fairly controversial wherever they are placed.

“We have been talking to a company to dial down the sensitivity of the cameras. This would ensure tickets issued would be flagrant violations as opposed to violations. That might not make sense; but if somebody rolls through a light and gets a ticket they’re pretty uptight about it, but if somebody rolls through a light 14 seconds after the light turned red, that is what causes accidents.

“If we can get the company to dial back the metrics, then these technology cameras could be extremely helpful in keeping Menifee residents safe.”