Community Corner

First of Red Light Cameras Installed

Camera at Brewster Street and Cottage Row will be operational in next few weeks, County says.

The first of three red light cameras Nassau County is putting on Brewster Street/Forest Ave. has been installed but won't be operational "for at least a month or two," according to the County.

Christopher Mistron, traffic safety coordinator for the County, said signage will soon be added to alert drivers to the camera system, which is newer than those installed in recent years.

Mistron said a delay occurred when crews placed a pole in the middle of a sidewalk and diverted the sidewalk around it, but learned the diversion violated compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The cameras were initially expected to be installed sometime in March or April.

Two more are on the way, at the Forest Ave. intersections with Dosoris Ln. and Walnut Rd.

Nassau County owns the Brewster/Forest roadway and has sole authority in determining whether cameras will be placed on it.

Camera placement considered for the intersection in front of the Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department was abandoned due to several factors, said Mistron, including the construction of the intersection and proximity to the firehouse. Glen Cove EMS Chief Matt Venturino opposed cameras there because of how they could affect firefighters and EMS members responding to emergencies.

Mistron said more cameras could be possible for County-owned roads running through Glen Cove, including Route 107. He said cameras have a "halo effect" on nearby intersections. 

"As behavior is changed in stopping for red lights, that behavior continues to surrounding intersections and within an entire community," Mistron said.

He said that while the program is a revenue generator, its goal is to change driver behavior and reduce crashes. 

"Please realize that as the safety of a location improves, the revenue decreases," he said.

The program netted the County $26.1 million in fines, collection fees and late fees in 2012.


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