Salinas police bringing red light cameras to council

The Salinas Police Department is looking to install red light cameras at four intersections across the city.

While police say it is going to help reduce red light violations, not everyone likes the idea.

“I see people running red lights like every day,” said Ashley Mifflin, a Salinas resident.

“Anyone who lives in the city of Salinas knows we have a problem with traffic violations and a lack of enforcement,” said Robert Hampson, a traffic sergeant in the Salinas Police Department.

Enforcement may be coming soon in the form of cameras that snap photos of drivers who run red lights in the city. Plans to install camera systems at intersections have been in the works since at least last year. Right now, it is still in the construction and design phases, but Hampson says it is almost complete.

The locations include East Laurel Drive and Natividad, North Sanborn and East Laurel, North Main Street and Boronda and West Laurel Drive and North Davis.

Police analyzed about 10 areas in the city and found these intersections had the highest number of crashes and red light violations.

“We can’t have a traffic officer at these intersections all the time, but we can have a camera there all the time,” said Sgt. Hampson.

“I think it would probably help the city end… make pedestrians more safe,” said Mifflin.

Once installed, a 30-day warning period will take effect where red light violators will only receive a warning and notification that a camera citation system is coming. But once the warning period is over, actual citations will be mailed to violators.

Fines will vary by case, but could go north of $400 a ticket.

Sgt. Hampson says their camera system, provided by Verra Mobility (formerly ATS), will not change the signal light timing whatsoever. He says they are not trying to trick people into running red lights, nor are they trying to make money off the system.

Other drivers, however, are not too happy with it.

“I think if a ticket is given, the police officer should be making a decision about it, not a camera,” said Mark Banks, a Salinas resident.

Drivers should expect to see well-marked signs showing there are red light cameras at the intersection.

The city council will be updated about the plan at an upcoming meeting very soon. If approved, the system could be up as soon as May this year.