Council seeks more info on photo radar

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This article was published 29/12/2021 (1730 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Red-light cameras and photo radar could be on the way to Brandon streets, but city council won’t make a decision until at least the spring on the issue.

City councillors voted on Dec. 20 to get more information before debating whether to ask the province for the ability to install “image capturing enforcement systems” in Brandon.

The motion, presented by Coun. Bruce Luebke (South Centre), was originally to ask the province to give the City of Brandon and Brandon Police Service permission to use the devices for traffic enforcement within city limits. Currently, they are only allowed in the city of Winnipeg under Manitoba’s Highway Traffic Act.

Brandon is currently “handcuffed” by not having the option available to use photo radar on city streets, Luebke said.

“I think it’s good to have this in our toolbox if it’s something we want to use at this point in the future,” he said.

Coun. Glen Parker (Riverview) said he believes city council needs more information before making a decision, including analysis and comment from the Brandon Police Service and Brandon Police Board.

Mayor Rick Chrest said at the meeting he was neither in favour or opposed to asking the province to give Brandon the new power, but said he too would like more information and input. The systems can also be costly to buy and install, he said.

“It’s probably not something that’s going to happen overnight, notwithstanding whether the province has the appetite for this or not,” Chrest said.

The motion to delay the vote until the end of March 2022 passed with Coun. Kris Desjarlais (Rosser) and Coun. Shawn Berry (Linden Lanes) opposed. Chrest said delaying the vote will let the Brandon Police Board give input after its March 4 meeting.

Desjarlais, who spoke in favour of the original motion, said photo radar and red-light cameras aren’t about giving drivers more tickets. Instead, it’s about increasing safety for everyone on the road.

There is an especially big issue on 18th Street near Brandon University, where Desjarlais said he is disappointed to see drivers “fly by” pedestrians at the signalled crosswalks.

Berry said he voted against the motion to get more information because he wants to see the process get off the ground more quickly.

“Why are we waiting longer? This is going to take a long time anyway. There was no need to wait for more information for something that we don’t even know if we’re going to do,” he told the Sun Tuesday.

While Berry said he isn’t sure yet whether he is in favour of the city using red-light cameras, he believes it’s something Brandon City Council should discuss.

“You can’t just stay stagnant … we have a problem in Brandon with traffic. We’re getting to be a busier city, people are always in a hurry, always in a rush. Speeds are sometimes ridiculous depending on which street you’re on — and I’m talking even residential.”

While there have recently been issues around speed in the Linden Lanes ward, Berry said he doesn’t believe photo radar is the solution to traffic issues in residential areas.

The Sun contacted Brandon Police Service Chief Wayne Balcaen for comment Tuesday but didn’t receive a response by press time.

» dmay@brandonsun.com

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