On March 4, City Council unanimously approved implementing a pilot program of automated red light enforcement at two intersections: Park Street/Otis Drive and Webster Street/Atlantic Avenue. High-definition cameras at these intersections will operate 24/7 to capture violations with a goal of improving traffic safety, eliminating enforcement bias, and improving police efficiency.
Background
Although red-light violations accounted for just 3% of Alameda’s traffic collisions in 2024, 50% of the violations resulted in injuries, a higher ratio than other collision types. There were 26 collisions in 2024 in which the primary collision factor was a red-light violation.
Traditionally, enforcement has relied on police officers monitoring intersections for hours, observing violations, conducting vehicle stops, and manually writing citations. In 2024, only 112 red-light violation citations were issued by this method.
By contrast, with automated enforcement, high-definition video and still cameras will operate 24/7 to capture violations. Lieutenant Brian Foster reported that Alameda Police Department (APD) anticipates automation will capture an average of 35 daily violations at the pilot locations, translating to over 12,000 violations per year. He also cited an Oxnard, California study which found that implementing red-light cameras resulted in total collisions decreasing by 7%, injury collisions by 29%, and red-light-related collisions by 32%.
APD chose the intersections of Park Street/Otis Drive and Webster Street/Atlantic Avenue because of their high traffic volume and pedestrian activity and to balance geographical impact. If the pilot is successful, the program will expand to other locations, including Bay Farm.
Lieutenant Foster said each camera must issue just two to three citations daily to remain cost-neutral. California red-light tickets typically cost drivers around $490, with most of the funds going to the county.
An APD staff member will review each violation before sending it to court for enforcement. APD will store the data for six months or until the citation is adjudicated per California Vehicle Code requirements. It will develop a strict data access and retention policy modeled after its Automated License Plate Recognition Policy.
Red-light cameras capture clear images of drivers for accurate ticketing along with the license plate. If the vehicle is stolen, the driver’s image will facilitate ticket dismissal.
Council comment
Vice Mayor Michele Pryor said that while the Vision Zero plan to reduce traffic deaths and life-changing injuries is a priority for her, she was concerned about equity issues related to the financial burden of hefty fines. She suggested a sliding scale or the possibility of traffic school to reduce penalties.
Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft responded that running red lights is a choice and fines serve as a deterrent to prevent pedestrian and cyclist collisions. She said, “Not a day goes by that I don’t get …info about a vehicle/pedestrian collision, a vehicle/bicyclist collision — I believe today a vehicle/scooter collision — often involving minors.” She emphasized the importance of getting drivers to slow down, ensuring equity in enforcement, and placing cameras in areas with vulnerable populations, such as the Anne B. Diament senior housing community at the corner of Park and Otis.
Lieutenant Foster clarified that traffic school is available for those who receive moving violation tickets unless the driver has too many points on their record. Attending traffic school causes the point from the ticket to be masked on the driver’s record. Also, drivers may ask the court to reduce the amount owed based on their ability to pay.
Councilmember Greg Boller voiced his support, saying, “If you talk to Alameda residents, traffic safety is way high on their priorities.” Councilmember Tony Daysog acknowledged the police’s inability to be omnipresent and advocated for leveraging technology.
Councilmember Tracy Jensen asked Police Chief Nishant Joshi if the technology would help protect Alameda’s safety and reduce violations. Chief Joshi answered affirmatively, saying, “Anytime we leverage technology, it’s definitely going to be a force multiplier.”
Council vote and next steps
Councilmember Jensen’s motion to install red light cameras at the Park Street/Otis Drive and Webster Street/Atlantic Avenue intersections and to have APD report on their effectiveness a year after their installation passed unanimously, 5-0.
APD will begin a vendor selection process, draft a data access and retention policy, and seek budget approval for technology and staffing. Their goal is to return to the Council in the summer or fall of 2025 for final program approval and to start implementation.
Contributing writer Karin K. Jensen covers boards and commissions for the Alameda Post. Contact her via [email protected]. Her writing is collected at https://linktr.ee/karinkjensen and https://alamedapost.com/Karin-K-Jensen.
