Shrewsbury Pursues Red Light Cameras

Shrewsbury has ordered the timing of its traffic lights in an effort to clear the way for the installation of two red light cameras, Councilman Tom Menapace said Monday night.

The move comes after New Jersey Department of Transportation suspended red light camera programs throughout the state over concerns that lights were improperly timed and causing drivers to receive tickets without proper justification.

In an effort to hop on board with the red light camera program once it's reinstituted, Menapace said the borough wants to make sure its lights are in proper working order.

Menapace said Shrewsbury is looking to install red light cameras at two intersections, including Route 35 and Sycamore Avenue, where borough hall and the Shrewsbury Police Department is located, and Route 35 and Shrewsbury Avenue. Both intersections are heavily trafficked, he said, and drivers routinely blow through red lights in disregard of public safety.

It's unclear when Shrewsbury could see the red light cameras installed. Not only has the state suspended the program, but legislators such as Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, R-13, have called for the banning of the devices on the grounds that they don't promote safety, merely generate income for the towns. Menapace said the borough would receive a percentage of every ticket issued.

Shrewsbury would also need approvals from the DOT before being allowed to install the cameras.

Menapace said the borough reached out to American Traffic Solutions about installing cameras at the two intersections. ATS, he said, did not reach out to Shrewsbury.