Outlawing Red Light Cameras Proposed in Senate Committee

Intro: Putting red light cameras to a stop had lawmakers' wheels turning Wednesday.

Max Reiss (REECE) has more from Jefferson City.

RunTime:0:45
OutCue: SOC

Red light cameras are all over St. Louis flashing pictures of cars that run through the traffic signals.

Now St. Louis County Senator Jim Lembke says those cameras used by law enforcement take away basic American rights.

Actuality: LEMBKE2.WAV

Run Time: 00:15

Description: "We've got a real problem with these red light cameras and how they infringe upon our constitutional rights. Rights to privacy, rights to equal protection under the law, rights to do process and the right to confront our accuser."

Lembke proposed a bill to outlaw the cameras to the Senate Transportation committee.

Officials from St. Louis County, including the city of St. Louis spoke up against the bill saying the cameras reduce accidents and keep drivers safer.

From the State Capitol, I'm Max Reiss, Newsradio 1120 KMOX News.

Intro: Putting the stop on red light cameras was the focus of a Senate Committee Hearing Tuesday.

Max Reiss (REECE) has more from Jefferson City

RunTime:0:42
OutCue: SOC

Law enforcement officials from St.Louis County defended their use of red light cameras.

The attacks came from St. Louis Republican Senator Jim Lembke who says the cameras take away people's rights and give government too much power.

Actuality: LEMBKE3.WAV

Run Time: 00:13

Description: "Pun intended: it's a snapshot of what's going on this nation, across our nation in that, what is the proper role of government and how should that government use the power that we the people give it."

Lembke sponsors a bill to outlaw all red light cameras.

Police from Hazelwood and Creve Coeur both said the cameras have led to fewer crashes.

The city Of St. Louis spoke out against the bill.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Max Reiss, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: A St. Louis Senator calls red light cameras unconstitutional and a scheme to make money but local law enforcement say they say lives.

Max Reiss (REECE) has more from Jefferson City.

RunTime:0:41
OutCue: SOC

Red Light cameras are all over St. Louis but one of the city's elected state lawmakers says he wants to get rid of them.

Republican Senator Jim Lembke says the cameras are unconstitutional and just a money making scheme.

But Hazelwood Police Chief Carl Wolf says the cameras a vital tool for keeping people safe.

Actuality: WOLF2.WAV

Run Time: 00:07

Description: "I can not start to tell you how many lives we've saved or how many accidents that we've prevented because of these red light issues."

Lembke proposed a bill to outlaw every red light camera in the state.

Police from St. Peters and Creve Coeur also spoke out against the measure at the Senate Transportation Committee hearing.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Max Reiss, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: There are traffic light cameras all over St. Louis and one of the district's lawmakers says the red light cameras need to be outlawed.

Max Reiss (REECE) has more from Jefferson City.

RunTime:0:44
OutCue: SOC

Police from St. Louis county argue red light cameras have led to safer streets.

Republican St. Louis Senator Jim Lembke says the cameras take away people's basic rights because it leaves machines responsible for catching speedy drivers.

Hazelwood Police Chief Carl Wolf says the cameras don't do the same work as police officers but are used as a tool.

Actuality: WOLF1.WAV

Run Time: 00:08

Description: "The camera does not issue the citation. It's a police officer that issues the citation. And its to the discretion of the police officer. They watch the video."

Lembke sponsors the bill to outlaw red light cameras and presented it to the Senate Transportation Committee Wednesday.

The city of St. Louis, in Lembke's district, is on record against the legislation.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Max Reiss, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.