ANAHEIM – The City Council wants to set a new rule: No red-light cameras in Anaheim – ever.

The council on Tuesday expressed unanimous support for an amendment to the city’s Charter that would prohibit automated traffic-enforcement systems from being installed on city streets.

The prohibition would require a public vote. The council plans to adopt a formal resolution in coming weeks and put the amendment to a public vote in November.

Anaheim has resisted red-light cameras in the past, while nearby cities such as Santa Ana and Garden Grove have embraced the technology.

(To read this Register story click here: Did you blow a red light, then blow off the ticket? Watch out!)

Mayor Curt Pringle, who is in the last year of his eight years as mayor, requested the ballot measure, saying he fears that future city leaders may be tempted to install them as a way to raise money for Anaheim.

“It’s very discouraging when government thinks its sole purpose is … to use public safety as a revenue-raising tool,” Pringle said.

Officials in cities that have favored the use of such cameras say they are an effective tool for getting motorists to drive more safely and can reduce side-collision wrecks at intersections.

The automated technology also draws many passionate critics who argue that they can increase rear-end collisions and that they have less to do with traffic safety and more to do with bolstering city coffers. Such enforcement should be done by police on the streets, they say.

(To read an extensive Register story on the two sides of red-light violations, click here.)

Pringle also said he worries that cameras could also be used to cite motorists committing other violations such as speeding or talking on cell phones.

Councilman Harry Sidhu said he got hit with a $465 fine in Los Angeles County recently for failing to “come to a complete stop” at a red light.

He said he questioned the infraction but paid the fine.

“This is a good move (to vote on the ban),” Sidhu said.

Councilwoman Lucille Kring said she hopes Anaheim’s action will inspire other cities to consider permanent bans on red-light cameras.

(To read this story, click here: H.B. police chief drops red light camera program.)

Anaheim officials plan to put the issue on the ballot for the November general election so that it would cost little money to put to a vote.

It would require a simple 51-percent majority to pass, according to the city attorney.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3769 or ecarpenter@ocregister.com