Red light cameras are a hit-and-miss. No one likes getting a ticket. But no one likes getting a ticket for making a half-assed righthand turn or going through a red light due to a tailgating truck. The worst part of the ordeal is your inability to face a judge/jury and tell your side of the story. You simply pay and go on your way.

On Long Island, people are doing their best to fight the system. Centereach resident, Stephen Ruth, was charged with government obstruction after he used a long pole to push the cameras towards the sky. In a previous interview, Ruth said, “I will single-handedly tear down the red light camera program with no fear of jail time.”


Yesterday, someone in a nearby town in Coram cut down the metal pole holding up the camera. Suffolk County maintains about 100 (maybe 99 now) red light cameras in key intersections. Ruth has previously claimed that the county has shortened the yellow light times to increase revenue. While no one is claiming the damage done, many are praising the vigilante for doing God’s work. And although no one is assuming or insinuating that Ruth was behind this, he has been quoted saying that he intended to plan more attacks on the camera system.


What’s your take on the camera system? A safety device or money-grubbing annoyance?