speed cameras come to st louis

In epic upset, GOP's Brown wins Mass. Senate race
Camera Will Soon Be Busting Speeders
St. Ann School Zone Will Be the Target

By Chris Regnier FOX2now.com

January 19, 2010
ST. ANN, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) - It's a first of its kind effort in Missouri to try and cut down on speeding in school zones. St. Ann is putting up a camera to catch people who speed through a school zone. But not everyone is thrilled with the idea.

The St. Ann program is similar to the red light cameras- offenders will be mailed a ticket with a picture of the speeding car and a fine.

St. Ann Police Chief, Bob Schrader, says the move is all about the safety of children. But some think it's just about money.

"We are the first department in Missouri to adopt this kind of technology for school zones, said Schrader."

The camera is going up in front of Hoech Middle School along Ashby Road in St. Ann. Its up now but is still in the testing phase. Schrader says speeding through that school zone is a significant problem. And he hopes the camera will help slow people down.

"I think its a worthwhile endeavor for the safety of our children," said Schrader.

He added, "This cutting edge technology monitors four lanes at one time and I think its within .02 miles an hour."

Schrader says speeders will receive a flat fine of at least $100.

But he tells us no points will be assessed on a driver's record if they're caught.

That fact upset attorney Chet Pleban.

"They're a bad thing in my opinion," said Pleban.

Pleban has been an outspoken opponent of red light cameras and he's against the speed zone camera as well.

Pleban says without assessing points, the program is nothing more than a money maker for st. Ann with big brother watching.

"It's a revenue producing thing that I think is in the long run dangerous," explained Pleban. He added, "Where does big brother stop, where does big brother stop monitoring us under the circumstances for revenue production?"

Schrader responded, You don't have a constitutional right to break the law.

Fines will start being issued on February 1st.

The camera will be in use 24/7-so even when the school zone speed limit is not in effect, drivers breaking the normal speed limit will still get tickets.

Chief Schrader says he will decide at what speed to start issuing tickets.