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Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Camera Funds To Go to Police
By Dan McKay
Journal Staff Writer
Drivers caught on camera running a red light or speeding will help City Hall pay for new police cars, firefighting equipment and other public safety projects.
Albuquerque city councilors agreed unanimously late Monday to take about $6.6 million out of a fund that holds revenue from red-light camera citations.
Councilors Ken Sanchez and Isaac Benton sponsored the legislation, which was also amended to include suggestions from Mayor Richard Berry.
The final resolution calls for spending:
n $1.2 million to renovate or build an entirely new Fire Station No. 2, which is in the Huning Highland neighborhood. The station dates to the 1920s, councilors said.
n $1 million for improvements to Fire Station No. 7 along West Central.
n About $3.9 million to buy marked police vehicles, which cost about $39,000 each.
n About $500,000 to buy fire and rescue equipment, such as the breathing units used by firefighters.
n $80,000 to offset state funding cuts to the police "party patrol," which cracks down on underage drinkers and noisy parties.
The revenue from camera fines can be used only for certain purposes, such as one-time public safety expenses.
Benton and Sanchez said tapping the camera revenue is warranted by the conditions in aging fire stations and the enormous demand for new police cars.
Berry said it's important to ensure "officers have the tools to do their job" well.
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