Red light cameras in operation in Pasco

Drivers running a red light at two Pasco intersections will soon get a ticket in the mail.

The cameras have been installed at the intersections of Road 68 and Burden Boulevard, as well as 20th and Court Street in Pasco.

Red light cameras will capture photos of vehicles that enter the intersection after the light turns red.

"About a year and a half ago we started looking at this whole situation of collisions in our city," said Captain Jeff Harpster with the Pasco Police Department. "We were trying to figure out how can we effectively make a difference to try to prevent some of those collisions-- and the injury collisions, especially."

Harpster says there is still a human element involved before the ticket is sent out.

"Our police officers look at that information, and they'll say, 'Yep, that was a violation of a red light traffic control device,'" Harpster said. "Then they approve that and it's sent back to Redflex where an infraction is issued."

Redflex is the vendor that the city hired to install and maintain the red light camera system.

Harpster said the cameras went live on Tuesday, April 16. For the first 30 days only written warnings will be issued.

After that, it could be a $125 dollar ticket sent to the car's registered owner.

Vehicle owners will have the opportunity to contest the fine.