Village to Consider Red Light Cameras

are considering allowing red light cameras to be installed at two troubling intersections within the village. Nassau County is looking at Route 109 and Main Street intersection and the NY 24 and Merrits Road intersection as possible sites for these new cameras.

Mayor Ralph Ekstrand told at Monday night's work session that he and Village Administrator Brian Harty recently met with three Nassau County representatives to discuss the matter. The county representatives, who specialize in traffic regulation and safety, informed Ekstrand and Harty of the two possible sites, with a possible third site on Staples Street and Route 109 where a teen was killed.

Red light camera legislation says that Farmingdale would not receive any revenue from tickets distributed as a result of the cameras. However, the main source of interest for the board was safety and traffic.

"The thing that interested me was the traffic calming," said Ekstrand, adding that the stretch of Route 109 in Farmingdale has been a longtime point of concern for safety.

"There's no way you don't slow down when you see a sign saying you're approaching a red light camera," said Ekstrand of the cameras that not only forward a driver the photo of their going through a red light, but also provide video footage that the driver can view online.

Accidents decrease 16 to 20 percent in Nassau County when a red light camera is installed, reported the board. On top of improving safety, the board said they would also like to obtain data from the county that would help with coordinating the timing of traffic lights.

The board will have a resolution prepared for the July board meeting for approval.