Long Beach's "Red Light/Photo Ticket Cams" Are All Off As Contract w/ Pvt Firm Has Expired; Will LB Council Keep Them Off As Other Cities Have Done? L.A.'s Council Will Debate Issue This Week After L.A. Police Commission Voted To Remove Them; Tell Us Your Views

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Although the hardware may still be visible, the contract with the private firm that operated the system has expired, LBPD Public Information Officer Lisa Massacani told LBReport.com.

That presumably means the decision on whether to leave the red light/photo ticket cameras off -- which multiple other CA cities have done -- could eventually come to the Long Beach City Council. Thus far, LB city management has kept publicly quiet about the matter, as have LB Councilmembers who ultimately set city policy...but the subject has become a sizable issue statewide.

In December 2010, CaliforniaWatch.org reported that red light cameras are going dark across the state. It reported that Whittier ended its program in November 2010 and Anaheim voters also decided in November -- by a 73% margin -- to ban the cams in their city.

Other cities reported by CaliforniaWatch.org as rejecting the automated ticketing programs include Costa Mesa, Compton, El Monte, Fullerton, Irvine, Maywood, Paramount, Santa Fe Springs, Union City (near San Jose), Yucaipa, Cupertino, Fairfield, Fresno, Indian Wells, Montclair, Moreno Valley, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Roseville, San Carlos, Santa Maria, Santa Rosa and Upland.

In Long Beach, the photo red cams were scattered throughout the city..and whether to activate them again would come as Long Beach heads into its 2012 Council election cycle (districts 2, 4, 6 and 8).

This week, the Los Angeles City Council is scheduled to debate whether to uphold the recent L.A. Police Commission, decision to remove L.A.'s "red-light" cams. An L.A. City Hall audit questioned revenue claims for L.A.'s devices...and although LAPD brass claimed accidents were down at intersections with the cams, the L.A. Police Commission ultimately found the totality of management's arguments unpersuasive.

Opponents have argued that the devices have invited rear-end accidents as drivers slam on their brakes to try and avoid a hefty Sacramento-enabled fine and are hit from behind. The result are damages two vehicles (costs borne by individuals or their insurance cost (with deductible) plus possible injuries, and for some drivers, increased insurance rates).

Supporters have argued that the cameras reduce side-impact collisions, which are more likely to cause fatalities. They say rear end crashes are the result of drivers following too closely or going too fast.

LBReport.com is interested in knowing what you think. Do you favor having LB City Hall leave the red light/photo ticket cameras off? Would an incumbent Councilmember or candidate's position on this affect your vote in the 2012 Council election cycle, and if so, in what way? Let us know below.