Santa Ana Pushes for Speed Cameras

0:00It's April 23rd, I'm Cory with the story, and this is California News today. Your AI-powered local news. Santa Ana leaders are pushing to join California's speed camera pilot program after a 2023 state law opened it up to five cities like Los Angeles. San Francisco and Oakland already have the cameras up and running, catching speeders and issuing tickets. Earlier this week, the city council told staff to draft a resolution asking state lawmakers to add Santa Ana to the list. It all stems from dangerous speeding on streets like Sagerstrom Avenue, where a crash last year killed five young people when a car slammed into a tree. Council members had mixed reactions, mayor Valeria Muscua, and a few others back the move, while three stepped out before the vote. One big worry is the million dollar price tag for setup and operations, which some say could fund police or street fixes instead. Police chief Robert Rodriguez clarified the cameras wouldn't tie up his department.

1:00Cytations would come through public works or transportation. There's a 60 day warning period after a public info campaign, then real fines kick in. Staff will return in two weeks with a full cost breakdown and the resolution ready for a vote, so we'll see if Santa Ana speeds towards safer streets, or hits the brakes on this