Traffic-camera ban hurts cash-strapped Ohio suburb

MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio (AP) — The mayor of a struggling Cleveland suburb says the city could have problems balancing its budget after voters approved a ballot measure that banned the use of traffic cameras.

Maple Heights stopped enforcing traffic camera violations at midnight Nov. 4, hours after nearly 77 percent of voters approved a referendum that said only police officers could write tickets at the city’s seven traffic camera sites.

Mayor Jeff Lansky on Monday acknowledged that the loss of camera revenue will hurt Maple Heights’ bottom line. He said the cameras had generated $960,000 for the city since a contractor began installing them in July. Maple Heights is under a state fiscal watch because of difficulties balancing its budget.

Voters in Cleveland also approved a measure last week that banned traffic cameras.