As Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair searches for ways to save his force money, he says it’s time to consider reintroducing photo radar and expanding red light cameras.

Photo radar, however, has been contentious in Ontario.

The NDP introduced the cameras to catch speeders in 1994, but the practice was killed by Tory premier Mike Harris 11 months later. Later, a private member’s bill that would have allowed municipalities to install the cameras near schools and construction sites was defeated.

But according to Blair, it’s time to take another look at radar cameras, as well as expanding the use of other technology to catch people running red lights and making illegal turns.

“His position is that police officers are a very expensive resource to use for something which technology can do, and much more economically,” said Blair’s spokesman, Mark Pugash, adding the force isn’t looking to increase revenue and there would be large warning signs.

The service’s budget was capped at $927.8 million in December and a hiring freeze was put in place. Blair was told to find $6.7 million in “efficiencies” to accommodate the cutbacks that are being made to his and other city departments.

In the search for cash, there’s been talk of measures that include consolidating police divisions.

More effective use of technology would also improve safety and traffic flow, Pugash said. However, the idea of reintroducing radar is only at a discussion stage, so there are no specifics available on the number of officers it would free up, or the potential savings.

There are already 87 red-light cameras, circulated among 114 Toronto intersections.

Having cameras on site “also means police officers can be deployed in areas where their skills are needed,” Pugash said. “A camera will ensure everybody who breaks the law gets caught.”

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