Riverside City Council: Remove red light cameras

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- The Riverside City Council voted six-to-one Tuesday to start the process to get rid of its red light cameras.

Red light violations have dropped 58 percent since their installation in 2006, officials said. But they face major public opposition.

Riverside City Council members who want to get rid of the cameras say there's a perception that the program is only around to make money.

Those who run a red light installed with a camera are sent a ticket in the mail.

Mike Gardner, a city councilman, was the lone vote against the process to remove the cameras.

"I think it will make our city slightly less safe," Gardner said.

The vote that's already taken place was to get the ball rolling. The council will actually vote on whether to end the contract with the company that runs these cameras on July 8.