New Speed Camera On Archer Avenue Draws Ire Of Alderman
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The alderman of a South Side ward is angry that a new speed camera is up and running today in his neighborhood, reports WBBM's Regine Schlesinger.
12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas was out with protesters at 3200 South Archer saying the new speed camera there is strictly a money grab by the city.
"This is not right and this camera has to come down," Cardenas said. "There's no justification whatsoever for this camera being here except of ticketing people on their way home or on their way to work or from work."
The city justifies the speed camera because of a nearby play lot. Critics say the play lot is barely used, is two blocks away and can't even be seen or directly accessed from Archer Avenue.
The Chicago Department of Transportation defends the new camera as a safety tool. CDOT cites studies that show speeding violations drop by more than half within 90 days after cameras are turned on and that 81 percent of violators who were issued a violation in a School Zone did not violate a second time; in Park Zones, 67 percent of violators did not repeat the offense.