Letters to the Editors

Running of red lights is a concern

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 12, 2000

As a member of the St. Petersburg Triple-E (traffic calming) Committee, though not an official spokesman in any sense, I would like to reply to the gentleman who was concerned that the police and the Triple-E group do as much to address the running of red lights as they do for speeding.

Please be assured that not only are the police out there ticketing red light runners, but the members of the Triple-E group are also concerned. And in their respective city departments, they are promoting the purchase of cameras to be mounted at intersections, which will photograph the license plates of motorists who enter the intersection after the light has changed to red for subsequent ticketing by the police. In cities where these have been installed, such as Denver, red light running has decreased by as much as 50 percent.

They won't go up today or tomorrow for there are a number of steps to be completed: funding (perhaps by a state grant), possible legal challenges to be examined, and, of course, approval by the City Council. But when they are in place, we will see a big difference.
-- John Royse, St. Petersburg

Cameras would capture red light runners

Re: Crackdown needed at red lights, letter, Nov. 1.

Few will deny that something needs to be done about the reckless habit of running red lights. Many believe an effective deterrent would be the use of surveillance cameras to identify the guilty.

Cameras are used extensively throughout the country for surveillance in banks, convenience stores, at ATMs, defense plants, large residential and commercial complexes, etc. Surveillance cameras at busy intersections would be no different, yet their use to identify red light runners is a controversial issue.

Many well-intentioned people believe that traffic surveillance cameras would be an invasion of an individual's privacy and infringement on one's civil rights. Many disagree and here's why.

When a driver passes through an intersection on the green light, society gives that driver the "right" and freedom to proceed with the expectations of a safe and unimpeded passage. If a second driver passes through the same intersection against the opposing red light, he or she is infringing upon and violating the "right" of the first driver. Furthermore, he or she is violating the law. Consequently, the second driver has forfeited any prior protection he or she may otherwise have been afforded by the Fourth Amendment -- i.e., protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

Yes, traffic surveillance cameras will monitor law-abiding drivers. Nonetheless, that would be a cheap price to pay for a deterrent to an ever-increasing life-threatening act by those who arrogantly lack the respect for the rights of others.
-- A.E. Roberts, St. Petersburg

Earlier school start is a bad idea

Re: First day of school may come sooner.

I was alarmed to read in the Oct. 29 Times the little bottom-of-the-page article that suggests it is just about a done deal that the school calendar will change to accommodate the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. (Regardless of the other "perks" mentioned, I think we all can see where this one comes from.)

Last year, I saw my daughter waste a semester of her eighth-grade year studying for a meaningless test to deliver a statistic, rather than benefit from the study of course material that her very qualified teachers were prepared to present. Now they are undertaking to give up two more weeks to this lie? Outrageous!

This will force many students to forgo intensive study programs in their chosen fields (not to mention family vacations usually taken in August). What a sad waste.

The article made it sound like pretty much everyone thought this was a great idea. Not so.
-- Terry Gaunt, St. Petersburg

Real meaning of "kids need discipline'

Re: Why a dearth of teachers? They can't discipline kids, Nov. 5.

This letter to the editor was interesting! I have read many letters and heard many people say, "We need more discipline with school kids." It seems that many who say this really mean "discipline other people's kids, but not mine because they are perfect, or just expressing themselves." Give me a break! I am always amused when I see the list of teachers nominated for awards because they are outstanding. The list is generally filled with elementary teachers. I wonder why that is. Could it be the students are a lot easier to work with? I think most of us know why!
-- E. Adams, St. Petersburg

Why no extra homestead exemption?

I am appalled that 20 counties and 51 cities and towns in Florida have approved an additional property tax exemption up to $25,000 for seniors with limited incomes, and neither Pinellas County nor the city of Clearwater has approved any relief for lower-income elderly people. It has been shown that it hardly makes an appreciable dent in government income and would be a boon to residents here. Must we move to another locale? It wouldn't be hard since every day the list grows! It seems unfair that we here are penalized while watching others around us benefit. Florida goofed when it did not make it mandatory in all counties.
-- Helen Kerwin, Clearwater

Proof of a civilized society

Re: Shea Stadium, friendly cops, Bubba love, Nov. 5.

What a great story Paula Kunkle wrote for the Neighborhood Times last Sunday. A brother's devotion, a woman's courage, and compassion from New York City's much-maligned populace. This is truly proof of a civilization in this society.
-- Joe Ranalli, St. Pete Beach

Check is in the mail indeed

Good things happen!

Recently my husband went to the car wash. In his bag he carried our mortgage check. When he took the bag from the car, the check blew out onto the pavement. When he went to the post office, no check!

After considering several options and after going back to the car wash to scour the surrounding bushes and gutters, he decided to trust the gods, not cancel the check and hope it fell into the hands of a good Samaritan who might mail it off.

And it did. The next day, there was a call on our answering machine telling us, "My husband found your envelope on the sidewalk. Since it seems to be a mortgage check, we're sending it off." She didn't leave her name or number but had been kind enough to locate our number from the return address.

The mortgage company has received the check, thanks to this caring couple. Thank you.
-- Janis Benson, Treasure Island

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright