OHIO Red-light camera use ruled out in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Cincinnati has become the only major Ohio city ruling out cameras to catch motorists who run red lights.
Among Ohio's other major cities, Dayton and Toledo already are using the cameras, Cleveland is installing them and Akron is studying the possibility. Columbus City Council recently delayed action on its ordinance to install the cameras.
Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken on Wednesday vetoed a red-light camera ordinance approved by city council. He doesn't believe the measure was primarily about increasing safety at intersections.
"I appreciate the comments about safety, but let's be honest with the public," he said.
"We didn't think about this until we came up with a budget problem."
Luken said he was concerned about fairness.
Cameras would have been placed at 10 intersections with signs warning drivers.
The cameras would snap pictures of the license plates of cars running the red lights and the owners would receive a $100 ticket in the mail.
While about two dozen cities across the state either are using the cameras or studying the idea, some are waiting to see how the Legislature handles a bill that would restrict use of the cameras.
The proposed legislation, which cleared the House and is pending in the Senate, would add several restrictions including one that would require a police officer to be nearby to monitor the cameras.
State Rep. David Evans, a Republican from Newark and co-sponsor of the legislation, said he is concerned that cities want the cameras strictly as revenue sources.
He also believes they could be considered an intrusion on privacy.