Minister Claims Duncanville Red Light Cams Are Faulty
North Texas minister at the center of a red light camera controversy.
Mario Tama
A North Texas minister is in the middle a red light controversy after claiming some Duncanville cameras may be snapping photos of people turning "right on red." (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Eight red light cameras eye drivers at four Duncanville intersections. And, between the two of them, Potter’s House Minister Steve Cornett and his wife Cheryl have racked up nine tickets this year.
“This is ridiculous, at $75 a piece, I can’t pay that, I don’t want to pay that,” Cehryl Cornett said.
The Cornett’s believe the cameras are wrongly ticketing drivers for legally turning right on red.
“I fully believe that I did not run these red lights,” says Steve Cornett, and given that he’s a minister, his word carries a lot of weight.
Cheryl Cornett said she was photographed several times at Cockrell Hill and 67 turning right on red.
“Since when is that against the law?,” she asked.
According to the city of Duncanville, the cameras were designed to cut down on serious crashes and save lives.
“I believe in the long rung they are going to drive people out of Duncanville because they don’t want to risk getting a ticket,” Pastor Cornett said.
Last year, the city issued more than 44,000 red light citations, which is more than one citation for every person that lives in the city -- not to mention several million dollars in revenue.
Duncanville City Councilman Paul Ford, who was ticketed by one of the red light cameras, is leading a campaign to bring them down.
Ford is circulating a petition to put the cameras on the city’s November ballot and let voters decide. To do so, Ford must collect 1300 signatures.
Posted Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 - 11:56 PM CST
