Albany

Attention, drivers: The red-light cameras are on.

And in 10 days, the city will start issuing $50 fines if they catch motorists blowing past them.

The first two cameras started filming early Monday on the eastbound approach of Shaker Road to Northern Boulevard and the westbound approach of Washington Avenue to Quail Street.

The cameras snap pictures of rear license plates as they pass through a red light and video record the violation as well, said Officer Steve Smith, a police department spokesman.

The grace period lasts until July 31; violators will receive a written warning advising them they ran a light. Beginning at 12 a.m. July 31, violators will receive a citation in the mail for running a stoplight.

The city plans to install 36 red-light cameras at 20 intersections.

Police Chief Brendan Cox, whom the City Council confirmed Monday night as the department's new chief, said, "Somebody told me they noticed an awful lot of people slowing down at those intersections."

He said he had not seen preliminary numbers for the first day. "Right now, I think we're collecting the data," he said.

Some motorists questioned whether the cameras would actually avert accidents and improve traffic safety or are a ploy by the city to make money.

"I don't think it's a good idea," said one motorist, who identified himself as John Smith. "It's going to create more problems, but it's a way for (the city) to create more revenue."

"It's incredible that they'll put cameras in the traffic lights but they won't pave the roads," he said.

Francsonia Butler, 49, of Latham, was skeptical about the red-light camera at the Shaker Road and Northern Boulevard intersection. Butler said she frequents the area to visit her daughter and grandchildren and has seen the cavalier attitude of drivers there.

She said the red-light camera "eventually has to pan itself out" to see if the cameras improve safety and "pay for itself" and not become a waste of money.

"If it's something to look good, politically speaking, then it's a waste of tax dollars," Butler said.

Under Albany's contract with Dutch firm GATSO USA, the city did not pay for the installation of the equipment and will pay the firm a monthly rent for each camera. That rent cannot exceed the amount of the ticket revenue generated by the devices.

Pedestrians welcomed the technology and said the cameras are an extra safety measure to hold thoughtless drivers liable.

Albany resident Tony A., 32, standing on the corner near the Washington Avenue and Quail Street intersection, said the camera is helpful for people like his elderly aunt and grandmother, who use the intersection regularly.

Jennifer DelGrande, 29, of Albany, echoed that concern while standing at the Stewart's at the Shaker Road and Northern Boulevard intersection.

"For pedestrians, it's a good idea. People run red lights a lot, especially in the inner city," DelGrande said. "What makes it so sad is that people think they can get away with it."

The other 18 intersections where cameras will be installed are Second Avenue and Frisbee Avenue; Madison Avenue and South Pearl Street; Delaware, Holland and Morton avenues; Lark Street, Madison and Delaware avenues; New Scotland Avenue and Ontario Street; Madison and New Scotland avenues; Central Avenue and Henry Johnson Boulevard; Henry Johnson and Clinton Avenue; Central Avenue and Quail Street; Madison and North Main avenues; Madison Avenue and Quail Street; Washington and North Main avenues; Central and Colvin avenues; Western Avenue and Brevator Street; Russell Road and Western Avenue; New Scotland and Manning Boulevard; Everett Road and Watervliet Avenue Extension; and Central Avenue and King Street.

Jordan Carleo-Evangelist contributred. dclark@timesunion.com • 518-454-5008 • @DartDClark