Red Light Fines Will Apply to Everyone?

When the Tacoma City Council approved the installation of red light cameras in Tacoma Tuesday night, they didn’t count on opposition from Multicare, Franciscan Health Systems, American Medical Response, the Firefighter’s Union, and the Policeman’s Union.

“Our ambulances run red lights all the time,” said Multicare President Diane Cecchettini, “and Tacoma refuses to make us exempt from the new law. This is going to increase everyone’s health care bills by thousands of dollars.”

But isn’t the cost of the ticket is only $101?

“Well, the patient will start accruing interest on those tickets once the light is run. Plus, our ambulances run many reds per call, so it’ll come out to be a pretty hefty fine. We also have some administration costs … Shipping and Handling, too… Insurance. It’s really a whole ball of fines.”

City Manager Eric Anderson made no apologies about the decision to charge ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles for running red lights. “Why should city employees get to run red lights for free? We have to follow the same rules as everyone else,” he said.

But … but we’re talking about firefighters and police officers … they have a good reason to run a red light.

“So does a man driving his wife to the hospital, right? He’d pay the fine, too. We don’t want to advocate any kind of double standard for city employees. That wouldn’t be ethical.”

So the budgets of the police and fire departments will have to pay the city for running reds now?

“Certainly not,” said Anderson. “The fines will be paid by those employees who actually run the reds.”

At a time when you’re in negotiations with the fire and police unions. Pretty shrewd. You sound like a tough negotiator.

“I’m not saying I am and I’m not saying I’m not.”

I have to say, this seems like a tacit admission that the City is setting up red light cameras because it wants to generate more money.

“Of course not. The cameras are to help improve the safety of Tacoma residents.”

But a fine is a pretty big incentive for a firefighter not to run a red light! Won’t this lead to delays in fire response?

“As they say in the Forest Service, fire is nature’s way of restoring itself. We want to see if that’s true for cities as well.”

So you’re confirming that fire responses will be delayed?

“The Council is looking into that issue. To address it, we’re considering adopting a pay-as-you-go system for first responders, similar to the fee-based system I had suggested when I first became City Manager. So now when you dial 911, you’ll be given the option to request what level of service you are looking for. Want more than just one squad car? $100. Want a fire truck with a ladder? $140. Do you want your ambulance to come stocked will a defibulator? $25.”

Knowing your City Government has your best interest in mind? Priceless.

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