Nassau County red-light cameras, Harborside retirement community crisis, the Mets

The missing link in red-light debate

Underlying Nassau County’s red-light camera program is whether its primary purpose is to promote public safety or generate revenue [“ ’22 red-light camera revenue: $64M,” News, Oct. 19].

The article documents a reduction in accidents at intersections where the red-light cameras operate and also a substantial increase in revenue from fines related to violations.

But there’s a missing link, and figuring it out would help resolve the safety/revenue debate. A violation can result from cars running a red light or from failure to pause for the requisite amount of time before making a right turn.

The “missing link” that may not have been adequately focused on by the county Legislature is the injuries that result from a motorist’s going straight through a red light compared with not pausing extra seconds before making a right turn.

If, for example, 70% of the revenue comes from turning violations, but only 20% of injuries are associated with turning violations, then a good case can be made that the red-light program is primarily for revenue, not for public safety. Further county research would help evaluate and perhaps reform this program so it’s better aligned with the bipartisan public safety goal.

— Chuck Cutolo, Westbury

I was 20 cars back at the intersection of Peninsula Boulevard and Lakeview Avenue in Rockville Centre when the left-turn arrow turned green and no one moved. Cars started honking. Only seven made it through before the arrow turned yellow, then red.

After two minutes, the arrow turned green again. This time, 10 cars made it through. Then, after waiting for three cycles, I committed to the next green arrow as 20 cars stacked behind me.

I accelerated to contribute to the efficient flow. As I approached the intersection, the arrow turned yellow. To abruptly stop would have caused a dangerous situation. The arrow quickly turned red as I turned. I did not “run” a red light with malice.

My summons noted the yellow arrow’s illumination time as 3.2 seconds. Someone determined that is appropriate to provide drivers sufficient notice to stop.

Red-light cameras are supposed to be a behavior deterrent, not a money trap.

In Suffolk County, it is unconstitutional to add on fees to a red-light violation. Yet my $50 violation rose to $150 with the addition of fees, which is highway robbery.

Stop the add-on fees and red-light traps. Return the program to its intended use: Penalize and deter flagrant offenders, not innocent victims. Reset the criteria and penalize only dangerous drivers.

— Jennifer Ryley, Baldwin

Some people complain that this is a back-door tax, but I disagree. If people feel it is a tax, it is one we all can avoid, unlike other taxes. Motorists just have to drive correctly and not try to beat the red light. How much time are people saving by doing this?

— Joseph Fasano, Massapequa Park

Imagine what the $64 million number would be absent all the altered license plates I see each day on cars on the road and in parking lots.

— Ed Doster, Little Neck

Harborside must stay open for residents

Port Washington seniors fear loss of homes and life savings as the Harborside retirement community’s sale falls apart “Harborside residents deserve their stability,” Musings, Oct. 14]. The state Department of Health and Gov. Kathy Hochul should be ashamed of themselves for their callous indifference to the needs of the residents.

Preventing the Life Care Community Services acquisition is absurd. The reasons the DOH staff has given for closing the LCS applications don’t ring true. How is the state’s failure to find a way to make that deal work a positive outcome for these elderly residents? How do the governor’s vague promises to find places for these people to live compare with LCS’ commitment to maintaining the wonderful community established there over the past 14 years, preserving the residents’ financial investment in their homes, keeping the excellent staff together, and paying the estates of deceased residents? None of these things will happen now. Already, key staff members are leaving for other jobs, and who can blame them?

This is a grave injustice. My 94-year-old mother, her friends and fellow Harborside residents need Hochul to reverse this abysmal decision.

— Barbara Selvin, Port Washington

At least, Mets beat our expectations

It is a sad time for the Mets and us fans after their National League Championship Series loss to the Dodgers [“Amazin’ ride runs out of playoff magic,” Sports, Oct. 21]. We were hopeful the Mets would continue their quest to return to the World Series for the first time in nine years. But I guess it was not meant to be.

The Mets made many believers out of fans like me who had hoped they could go all the way.

They did, however, go further than anyone thought they would and beat many good teams, showing heart and grit.

— Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Bellerose