Police pass photo-radar issue back to council

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This article was published 10/06/2022 (1365 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The issue of photo radar is heading back to Brandon City Council to make a decision on the possibility of the technology being installed in the Wheat City.

Brandon Police Service Chief Wayne Balcaen gave members of the Brandon Police Board more information on photo radar at the Friday meeting. The city originally asked the board for more details at a December 2021 council meeting.

He said there is a wide spectrum for the technology’s price and use around the country depending on the police service and how it is deployed. While Balcaen couldn’t give exact numbers on the price to install photo-radar systems, it could be used for speed enforcement in school or construction zones.

“There are many communities that do use this program, including Winnipeg, and the availability at his time is not here in Brandon because of legislation,” Balcaen said.

Photo radar is used to track the speed of vehicles or enforce red lights at intersections.

The original discussion of using photo radar in Brandon came from a motion Coun. Bruce Luebke (South Centre) put forward late last year. The motion was to ask the province for the ability to use photo radar in the city.

Currently, Winnipeg is the only municipality in Manitoba legally allowed to use the technology under Manitoba’s Highway Traffic Act.

But, instead of making a decision at the December meeting, city council voted to ask the Brandon Police Board for more information.

At the Friday police board meeting, however, Balcaen said he would be at the next city council meeting, where he would update councillors.

“If council hears the information from the chief on the 20th of June and it gives them an appetite to want to pursue, then it might be referred back to the police board,” said Mayor Rick Chrest on Friday.

“Right now it’s a little bit like a private member’s bill. We don’t really have the latitude to be asking the police board to take a position until council has decided this is really something they want to pursue.”

Nothing happens until Brandon City Council has collectively decided to do something, Chrest said. If council does want to pursue the ability to install photo radar, it could then come back to the police board for an official position.

It’s a chicken and egg scenario, said Coun. Barry Cullen (Victoria) at Friday’s meeting. City council hasn’t decided whether or not to ask the province for the ability to use photo radar, so he said the board shouldn’t take a stance yet.

Even if city council votes to ask the province for permission — and that permission is granted — council would then have to vote whether or not to actually install photo radar in Brandon.

Board member Shannon Brichon said she didn’t have enough information at Friday’s meeting to support or oppose its use in Brandon.

Luebke previously said the city is “handcuffed” by not having the option available to use photo radar on city streets. He said it is a tool the city should have in its toolbox if it is needed in the future.

According to the Winnipeg Police Service’s website, the service has 10 mobile units for enforcement in school, playground and construction zones. There are also 49 cameras at intersections across the city.

The Brandon Police Board is next scheduled to meet on Sept. 23.

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