Milwaukee mother, city leaders share importance of red light cameras in proposed bill at committee hearing
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee leaders and those impacted by reckless driving shared their perspective on a bill that would put red light cameras on city roads.
At a hearing at the Summerfest administrative building on Tuesday, Oct. 7, the Senate Committee on Transportation and local government addressed Senate Bill 375.
The bipartisan proposal, led by State Senator Dora Drake and cosponsored by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Senator Cory Tomczyk, would allow the city to use a speed safety camera system to ticket drivers who go through red lights or speed more that 15 miles over the limit. Those ticketed would pay the same amount as a traffic stop, which can range from $20 to $100 dollars.
“This legislation is about changing dangerous habits and ensuring that everyone, regardless of where they live, can cross the street or drive to work or school or church without fear,” Drake said.
The bill would allow for the cameras for 5 years in the City of Milwaukee. For Gloria Shaw, a mother of a hit-and-run victim who spoke at Tuesday’s hearing, she said this bill can’t come soon enough for those seeking justice after reckless driving
“This could have given me a picture of who did it,” Shaw said. “Passing this bill will slow everybody down, not just in the inner city.
At Tuesday's committee hearing, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman and multiple city aldermen shared their support for the bill.
“This isn’t about tickets, it’s about tomorrow,” said Alderman Peter Burgelis. “Safe streets are the foundation of a city that works, and Milwaukee is ready to lead the way. This program doesn’t chase revenue; it is about changing behavior. Every driver who slows down and every crash we prevent is a neighborhood victory in this city.”
“This bill is aimed at the worst traffic offenders, those who can do so much damage in such little time,” said Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr. “This bill is also about equity. African Americans have double the fatal crash rates of their white counterparts. People simply walking in lower-income neighborhoods are three times more likely to be killed by a vehicle, and that standard should never be acceptable.”
Those against this proposal, like State Senator Van Wanggaard, said this bill wouldn’t catch some of the city’s most dangerous drivers. Wanggaard said he believes more officers present at the proposed intersections that could get cameras would be more effective.
“It’s a cash cow. Look at Chicago,” Wanggaard said. “I’d rather have an officer there than taking a snapshot and mailing the owner of the ticket.”
This is not the first time a bill like this has been proposed. Similar efforts by city leaders to allow these kinds of cameras did not get enough support.