The red light camera program in Palm Coast might be getting another look.
Palm Coast was one of the first cities in Central Florida to put up red light cameras. Back in 2008, there were 10 active cameras. Now, there are 47 spanning many intersections in town.
But, the debate over whether to keep the cameras up or not might be heating up.
During a show Friday morning on a Flagler County radio station, Palm Coast City Manager Jim Landon said the City Council will have discussions as to whether the red light camera program is too much of a hassle.
The red light camera argument is something city leaders in Palm Coast have heard many times. Now, judges are questioning the process.
Landon didn't want to go on camera Monday, but he did say the debate is a difficult one because he said the cameras have made intersections safer.
Two Palm Coast residents aren't convinced, though.
“It's a rip-off -- a big rip-off," said Fausto daSilva, a Palm Coast resident.
Another resident, Joe Vinthais, added: "They make me either speed on yellow or hit the brakes real hard. I'm almost afraid of causing an accident."
Since 2008, though, the state has gotten involved in the process by adding an extra layer and higher fines. That's something Palm Coast didn't originally sign up for, Landon said.
Landon said the city is in talks with American Traffic Solutions about the contract -- including everything from scaling back the number of cameras in the city to pulling out of the agreement altogether.
Under the current agreement, Palm Coast gets $700 per month per camera. The current contract runs through 2019, with Palm Coast getting a flat $372,000 a year. That money goes back into street improvements.
Should the city decide to get out of the red light camera business, those improvements would most likely be done less often, officials said.
The item isn't on Tuesday night's meeting agenda, which will take place 6:30 p.m., at the Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway N.E.
Landon does expect City Council members to question him about the red light cameras at the meeting, though.