Nassau County Lawmakers Repeal Speed Camera Program

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Despite a request by Nassau County's executive to reconsider, the county Legislature unanimously repealed its troubled school zone speed camera program on Monday.

Lawmakers have cited public outrage over the way the program was implemented, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.

County Executive Ed Mangano has warned of painful spending cuts to help fill the $30 million budget gap that could now be created by the speed camera repeal, including slashes in social services and public safety.

But the 19-member Legislature was committed to ending the program, saying it will work with the administration to find the revenue for the budget. Legislative Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves has said she refuses to raise taxes.

Many residents — some who said they have received multiple $80 tickets — have complained that there aren't enough signs warning drivers of speed camera locations.

Before the vote, a long line of program critics made their feelings known.

"When they get a ticket, because they did 31 miles an hour on Glen Cove Road, that comes out of food money, that comes out of gas money to go to work," said one resident.

"This program was ill planned; not properly implemented," said another resident.

Opposition organized on social media, and thousands labeled it a "gotcha" program designed to rake in revenue.

Only one person spoke in favor of the controversial cameras, saying they save lives, Xirinachs reported.

Officials plan to replace the cameras with increased police patrols, and the county will move forward with installing flashing lights in school zones.

The repeal will not take effect until Mangano has signed it into law, so tickets may still be written despite Monday's vote.

Suffolk County, which also planned to nix the school zone speed camera program, delayed its vote and will instead take the issue up in January.

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• Ed Mangano