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6:30-8pm
Four separate opportunities to attend: Thursday 1/22, Tuesday 1/27, Monday 2/2, or Wednesday 2/4

Location: Let's talk about the Summer Streets program. Has it gone as good as you would have hoped?

Location: Let's talk about the Summer Streets program. Has it gone as good as you would have hoped?

One of Albany's chief foes of automated traffic enforcement appears to have softened his opposition to red-light cameras, but allegations of patronage may taint his turnaround.

For years, State Assembly Member David Gantt, a Rochester Democrat, has used his position as chair of the transportation committee to block the expansion of red-light cameras in New York and other cities. When pressed by advocates, Gantt could be relied upon to dismiss automated traffic enforcement by saying that privacy concerns trumped safety benefits. Not any longer.

The year 2007 may prove to be one of the most important years in the storied history of New York City's development. In a future timeline of urban advances, it might be printed in as big a font and as bold a type as 1811--when the grid system was adopted--or 1904--when the I.R.T. subway opened. The text adjacent to 2007 could say something like "the start of livable streets," or "the bike boom begins," or "congestion pricing kicks off." It may turn out that all of those descriptions may suit 2007. The real question is, in hindsight, will they?

Just over a year since the number of red light cameras citywide was doubled to 100 -- with 10 of them at Staten Island intersections -- the technology has been credited with a big drop in injuries and fatalities, as more and more drivers slam on the brakes instead of speeding through reds to avoid a $50 ticket.

Island cameras were increased from five a year ago and they are responsible for a 32% percent increase in fines issues -- from 2,004 to 2,756.

Speed Cameras

Speed Cameras

Manual enforcement of speed limits drains the resources of police departments and is difficult to carry out fairly and effectively. Recently, racial profiling has been uncovered as the basis for ticketing minority motorists at higher rates than white motorists. A better solution