Why this matters
How effective red-light cameras are is a subject of debate. City officials’ pitch Monday included data that showed red-light cameras reduce accidents, but an opponent said studies on red-light cameras have been inconclusive.
Bridget Chalekian’s request for Encinitas’ traffic commission Monday night was simple: Do something that might save another family from the anguish of losing a loved one in a car crash.
Her daughter, 12-year-old Emery Chalekian, was killed while crossing Encinitas Boulevard in April.
“She did everything right,” Bridget Chalekian said. “She followed the law. She trusted the system that is supposed to protect pedestrians, and that system failed her.”
Chalekian was urging city officials to reinstall red-light cameras throughout Encinitas. In the nine months since her family’s tragedy, Chalekian and other families have advocated repeatedly for safety measures at Encinitas Mobility & Traffic Safety Commission and City Council meetings.
Wearing yellow shirts with Emery’s name, parents and kids alike have pleaded with public officials for more traffic safety measures. On Monday night, they got their first victory when the commission voted to recommend the city restore red-light cameras.
Laura Van Dusen is a founding member of the group Safe Streets Encinitas, which formed in the wake of Chalekian’s death.
“I’m relieved,” she said as she wiped away tears after Monday’s emotional meeting.
Over 20 people spoke in support of Encinitas installing red-light cameras. Many of them were part of Safe Streets Encinitas. Supporters said they would boost safety and that under a new state law, steps could be taken to address the privacy concerns that can be associated with the cameras.
Critics of red-light cameras have raised objections due to privacy issues and called them a camera cash grab for government jurisdictions who always have competing demands for scarce dollars.
The commission voted 5-1 to direct city staff to determine the locations and number of red-light cameras citywide. Camera placement would require a City Council vote. There is no timeline for that.
A state law approved by the governor in October allowed California cities to adopt red-light cameras that do not use facial photography. It also changes the violation from a $500 criminal fee to a $100 civil penalty, with higher fees up to $500 for subsequent offenses. In Encinitas, the city’s proposal specifies the revenue could only be used on local traffic safety projects.
An unclear picture
Red-light cameras were popular in cities nationwide until they weren’t. The city of San Diego removed the city’s 21 red-light cameras in 2013 due to what the mayor said was a lack of effectiveness and Encinitas stopped its program in 2020. An inewsource survey of North County cities found most cities discontinued them in the last decade. Del Mar and Solana Beach each have three cameras. San Marcos did not respond to request for comment.
How effective red-light cameras are is a subject of debate. The commissioners’ pitch Monday included data that showed red-light cameras reduce accidents, but Commissioner Ron Medak, who opposes the cameras, said studies on red-light cameras have been inconclusive.
The state law cited data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a nonprofit scientific and educational organization. It reports that 1,149 people were killed and more than 107,000 people were injured in red-light running crashes in 2022. Cameras reduced the fatal red-light running crash rate of large cities by 21%, according to the institute.
Monday, some speakers said that an automated red-light camera system would be a better enforcement mechanism than patrols and could be more just as well.
Judy Berlfein said that deputies “can’t be everywhere all the time.”
“This is a way that we can take advantage of the technology that we have and build on the hard work that the deputies do,” she said.
But Steve Linke, a former Carlsbad traffic commissioner, shared data he said showed crashes decreased after the removal of red-light cameras in Encinitas, leaving an unclear picture.
Commissioner Paul Templin expressed doubt about whether the cameras would be successful in the city, but he ultimately voted to support the proposal.
“I understand the frustration people have,” he said, “but I just caution people that I don’t think this is really going to solve the problem.”
Emotions run high
Bridget Chalekian walked out of Monday’s meeting early when Commissioner Medak voiced his opposition. Medak said that he did not think red-light cameras were the best solution to traffic safety concerns. He said that the sun was setting when Emery was struck by a car and killed.
In response, several members of the public yelled: “Shame on you!”
Commissioner Glen Johnson thanked people for showing up and encouraged them to continue their advocacy when the City Council discusses the meeting.
“I’d like to thank all the citizens who showed up for this,” he said. “Wear those yellow shirts to the City Council meetings when this gets on their agenda and let them know what the community wants.”
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News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
