Red Light Cameras Begin in Millington

MILLINGTON, Tenn. - The City of Millington is installing red-light cameras. They're posted at 4 major intersections and despite questions to the contrary, the police chief says the goal is to save lives not raise money.

The City of Millington studied all of it's intersections from July of 2007 to July of 2009. Between that time, in city of only 11,000 people, police and fire responded to more than 500 accidents that injured more than 120 people.

Police Chief Ray Douglas says enough is enough.

Tuesday, red light cameras are up and running checking you, making sure you don't run a red light.

“I think maybe they'll stop some people from running red lights maybe cut down on accidents,” said Theresa Gallaher, Millington resident.

They've been placed at 4 intersections in the City of Millington and with a specifically placed camera and a high powered flash, Millington police hope to crack down on dangerous intersections.

“The point is that we want people to quit running red lights we want people to slow down when they come to the city of Millington,” said Douglas.

The cost of the cameras was free but a small percentage of the $50 ticket goes back to the camera maker.

For the next 30-days though the tickets issued will only be warnings but Millington Police Chief Ray Douglas says it's not about the money.

“My goal is to not raise one penny for the city of Millington if we can accomplish that goal no one will run red lights,” said Douglas.

Right now, Memphis and Germantown also use red light cameras.
And while other cities across the country are backing away from their use.
Millington is shining a strong bright flash of light on those who break the law, endangering others in the community.

“Maybe it'll stop some accidents,” said Gallaher.

“We want to insure that our citizens are safe if it saves one life it's worth all of the criticism it really is,” said Douglas.

Again for the next 30-days these tickets will only be warnings. Now if you get a ticket you can log onto the cities website by clicking on the link attached to this story and see the infraction as it happened.