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Council approves red-light camera ordinance after resident warning and split vote
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 25-68 authorizing traffic infraction detectors and red-light camera enforcement after a public commenter urged live enforcement first; the ordinance passed by roll call with one member opposed.
The Port St. Lucie City Council on Nov. 21 adopted Ordinance 25-68, allowing the city to use traffic infraction detectors to supplement enforcement at intersections.
The ordinance was read into the record and then drew public comment from George Umanski, a resident who said he has 26 years in the CCTV industry and cautioned against automated citations as the first step. "If the systems truly eliminated violations, their revenue would collapse," Umanski said, and urged the council to "vote no or at a minimum vote to table this and implement a 1 year enhanced enforcement plan first."
Vice Mayor (chair) and police officials responded that the city faces staffing pressures and that cameras can be one tool among several to improve intersection safety. The chair noted the city's officer staffing levels relative to national averages and said the intent was to free officers for broader public-safety duties: "We need every officer available to be able to take the calls for safety." Police staffing averages and the council's desire to pilot several intersections were discussed during the debate.
Councilman Bonner said he remained opposed, citing concerns about increasing rear-end accidents and examples of other cities later discontinuing cameras. "I just have too many questions about it to vote yes," he said.
The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote recorded in open session with the vice mayor, Councilwoman Morgan and Councilman Pickett voting yes and Councilman Bonner voting no. Mayor Martin was not present.
The measure amends the city code to authorize the use of detectors to promote compliance with red-light camera directives and authorizes the chief of police to take actions necessary to facilitate enforcement. Council did not detail specific intersection locations at the Nov. 21 meeting; staff said the program would begin with a pilot set of intersections and evolve from operational experience.
