Protesting Heath’s Red Light Cameras

Those who are against Heath’s red light cameras are making their voices heard.

A group gathered in front of the Heath Municipal Building, late this afternoon, to protest the red light cameras up until tonight’s council meeting.

Business owner and Heath resident Duane Goodwin says traffic into the city on State Route 79 into the city is down.

“We were out here picketing this afternoon. There were gaps in the traffic. It’s never been like this, ” says Goodwin.

Goodwin is one of two men who started a petition to have voters decide on the November ballot if the red light cameras should be used in the city of Heath. He’s says they’ve gotten 410 signatures in two weeks, and the Board of Elections is certifying the signatures this week.

Goodwin says he just wants the cameras out of town.

“When they issue more tickets than we have population in three weeks, there’s something wrong with this picture. These people are our friends, family, and customers that they’re calling violators. They’re coming here to spend dollars in our town, and this isn’t the way they should be treated, ” says Goodwin.

However, Heath resident Ruth Ann George disagrees. She says she’s happy about the cameras, and she says she thinks the protesters are the offenders.

“They run the red light. They go through the caution light, and they also go and speed. I think they are the ones that are really upset over this, ” says George.

George says she feels safer driving because she’s noticed people driving more slowly through the city. When WHIZ asked her is she thought enough people are supporting the red light cameras, she responded…

“I hope so. I hope so, ” says George.

Heath’s red light cameras started issuing tickets for traffic offenders on July First.