More red-light cameras coming in KC

Red-light cameras will go live May 4 at five more Kansas City intersections even as violations mount at the first targeted intersection, 39th Street and Southwest Trafficway.

Since Feb. 21, the city has issued about 900 citations to red-light runners there, said Sgt. Kevin Murray of the Kansas City Police Department’s special operations division.

The cameras will start catching violators early next month at:

•West 79th Street and Wornall Road
•East 63rd Street and Prospect Avenue
•39th and Main streets
•East 19th and Walnut streets
•27th Street and Southwest Trafficway

Kansas City launched its red-light camera program earlier this year. The warning period at the 39th and Southwest Trafficway location ended Feb. 20.

About 10 percent of the 900 violators since then have paid their fines.

Murray said the first full month of the program, March, saw 604 violators.

The violations appear to happen at all hours of the day and night, despite the “photo enforced” signs posted near the intersection.

Murray supervises six officers who review and approve each ticket, making sure the photographs and video clearly show the car running the red light, not just getting caught as the light goes from yellow to red.

The fine is $100 and $13.50 for court costs.