Milwaukee leaders renew call for red light cameras at intersections

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Local lawmakers call it a crisis. Reckless driving continues to be an epidemic in the city of Milwaukee. Officials say so-called "red light cameras" could be part of the solution. 

It's not the first, second, or even third time Milwaukee has proposed installing red light cameras. The cameras are currently illegal in the state of Wisconsin, but city leaders want to change that. 

A red light requires you to stop. In Milwaukee, some drivers choose to keep going. 

“We’ve had mothers, daughters, sons and fathers lost to this growing epidemic and it’s all extremely important we do everything we can to stop it," said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.

That's why city and county officials are asking legislators to give them the green light. 

“We need to arm ourselves with every available tool," said City of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. 

Some feel red light cameras would be a huge benefit. 

“Installing traffic safety cameras in the City of Milwaukee will save lives," said Johnson. 

If someone runs a red light, the cameras will take pictures of the vehicle, including the license plate and a citation would be sent to their address. 

“We know that reckless driving has reached crisis levels here in Milwaukee County," said Crowley. 

Each aldermanic district would get a certain number of cameras. 

“There would be a set number of these systems that would be able to go in. I think it’s a set number per aldermanic district. So, it’s not that it would be one at every intersection throughout that city, so that's a part of what we would do," said Johnson. 

If the legislation is approved, Johnson says a vendor has agreed to give the red light cameras upfront. The city will pay for the cameras with the revenue that comes from each citation. 

The proposal continues to have opposition. In a statement sent to CBS 58, Republican State Senator Van Wanggard says “...If you want to curb reckless driving in Milwaukee, start arresting reckless drivers…A ticket in mail will be ignored. They do not alter behavior and it never have [sic]."

Other local lawmakers argue red light cameras would allow officers to focus on different issues in Milwaukee. 

"You can only have so many police officers," said Johnson. 

So, while a red light requires you to stop, under this proposal, drivers may have additional penalties if they don't.