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Windsor Heights plans to ditch controversial speed cameras

Windsor Heights plans to ditch controversial speed cameras
DON'T WANT TO GET OFF GUARD AND GET A TICKET. 08;39> Bonnie Scott says driving on University Avenue keeps her on edge -- because of Windsor Heights' speed cameras. <CAR NAT> Many University business owners have clamored for their removal. <24;37 KEEPS OUR CUSTOMERS AWAY SOMETIMES. 24;39> Lisa Rea 's "Suite Dreams" isn't even on University. She thinks the cameras make some avoid the whole city. <13;40 I FEEL LIKE SOMETIMES IT DOES, THEY AVOID WINDSOR HEIGHTS SOMETIMES.> In fairness, not everyone hates them. <01;57 I like the camera, yes. People ) from the ticket, but the safety for the people is important. 02;05> Officials still argue the cameras are successful safety tools. But for detractors -- there's good news. Windsor Heights announced Wednesday it will in fact get rid of them come April 21st 20-20 -- when its contract with the vendor ends. Nailiez <NYE-lease> Pena -- a waitress at the Puerto Rico Restaurant -- loves it. <25;09 I FEEL LIKE IT'S GONNA BE AWESOME. MO CUSTOMERS WILL COME BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST LIKE ONE PERSON TOLD ME THE SPEED CAMERAS ARE BAD, EVERYBODY HAS TOLD ME. ESPECIALLY THE PUERTO RICANS. WE TEND TO NOT LIKE TO PAY STUFF. LAUGHS 25;23> Windsor Heights' mayor says business complaints didn't spur his decision to go along with removal -- but they did for some council members. Police say they'll move to other enforcement tactics -- officers may spend more time on University. But when the cams go, Scott says... <08;58 I CAN DRIVE LESS NERVOUS> The mobile speed camer
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Windsor Heights plans to ditch controversial speed cameras
The city of Windsor Heights announced Wednesday that it is dumping its controversial speed cameras.Windsor Heights plans to remove speed cameras on University Avenue on April 21, 2020, when its contract with the vendor ends.Many University Avenue business owners have clamored for their removal."It keeps our customers away sometimes," said Nailiez Pena, a waitress at Puerto Rico Restaurant.Lisa Rea's Suite Dreams store is not located on University Avenue, but she said customers avoid Windsor Heights altogether because of the speed cameras."I feel like sometimes it does (keep customers away)," Rea said. "They avoid Windsor Heights sometimes."Windsor Heights Mayor Dave Burgess said business complaints did not spur his decision to go along with the speed camera removal, but they did for some council members.Windsor Heights Police Chief Chad McCluskey said his department will move to other enforcement tactics to stop speeders in the city."One of the components will be the use of the digital speed sign displays that are connected to cameras," McCluskey said. "The city owns those, so we'll utilize those to remind drivers that they're speeding (and) help remind people to slow down."For Pena, the changes cannot come soon enough."I feel like it's gonna be awesome," she said. "More customers will come, because it's not just like one person told me the speed cameras are bad. Everybody has told me."The city has not closed the door on bringing cameras back someday.Windsor Heights made more than $2 million from the speed cameras in 2018. Burgess said removing the cameras will not hurt the city financially.Is Windsor Heights addicted to traffic tickets? This study looks at the numbers.

The city of Windsor Heights announced Wednesday that it is dumping its controversial speed cameras.

Windsor Heights plans to remove speed cameras on University Avenue on April 21, 2020, when its contract with the vendor ends.

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Many University Avenue business owners have clamored for their removal.

"It keeps our customers away sometimes," said Nailiez Pena, a waitress at Puerto Rico Restaurant.

Lisa Rea's Suite Dreams store is not located on University Avenue, but she said customers avoid Windsor Heights altogether because of the speed cameras.

"I feel like sometimes it does (keep customers away)," Rea said. "They avoid Windsor Heights sometimes."

Windsor Heights Mayor Dave Burgess said business complaints did not spur his decision to go along with the speed camera removal, but they did for some council members.

Windsor Heights Police Chief Chad McCluskey said his department will move to other enforcement tactics to stop speeders in the city.

"One of the components will be the use of the digital speed sign displays that are connected to cameras," McCluskey said. "The city owns those, so we'll utilize those to remind drivers that they're speeding (and) help remind people to slow down."

For Pena, the changes cannot come soon enough.

"I feel like it's gonna be awesome," she said. "More customers will come, because it's not just like one person told me the speed cameras are bad. Everybody has told me."

The city has not closed the door on bringing cameras back someday.

Windsor Heights made more than $2 million from the speed cameras in 2018. Burgess said removing the cameras will not hurt the city financially.

Is Windsor Heights addicted to traffic tickets? This study looks at the numbers.