Will Collier County's red-light cameras stay or go?

By Julie Salomone

CREATED Jan. 31, 2013

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  • Commissioners voted in Dec. to remove the cameras after the county's contract expires in Feb. with the camera company. Video by fox4now.com

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Naples, FL -- Collier County Commissioners voted to end a contract with the company that provides cameras at several intersections in Naples. The vote happened back in December and the contract with the company ends Feb. 28th.

 

Now Commissioner Donna Fiala wants the board to reconsider after receiving numerous emails from people living in the county arguing the cameras make the roads safer. 
 
Fiala doesn't want the cameras taken down without another look.
 
'I want to discuss it again because I think maybe some people might have a second thought," said Fiala. 
 
"I asked the Sheriff to work with me on this and provide information because we didn't have enough information at the last meeting(December meeting), " added Fiala. 
 
Emails received by Commissioner Fiala show supporters who like the cameras because it makes roads safer. One person writes in an email to all commissioners " According to Sheriff Kevin Rambosk and reported statistics; the Red-Light Cameras are working to keep our intersections much safer.  I make the assumption that you had prior access to this same information before your vote to remove these camera's.  What are you thinking!!!!!" 
 
Opponents argue they cameras cause more accidents like fender benders and rear-end collissions.
 
But Fiala hopes the board reconsiders and makes a "motion" to take another vote on the issue. 
 
"If they decide they do not want to readdress it, if they do not want to reconsider it, if they decide they don't agree with the information presented, they still have the majority vote."
 
Fiala adds if the board does not reconsider, the cameras will be taken down once the county's contract expires Feb. 28th. 
 
Commissioner Tim Nance says he is strongly against keeping the cameras in Collier County and this continues to be a very controversial issue.