Red-light security cameras don't have everyone smiling in Knoxville. The controversy continues two years after the city's first camera appeared at the Alcoa Highway and Kingston Pike Interchange in 2006. While some believe the cameras improve traffic safety and reduce collisions, others feel they actually cause more harm than good.          

Clifford E. Clark III, a Knoxville resident and former University of Tennessee nursing student, was arrested in November for allegedly shooting a red-light camera at the intersection of Broadway and I-640. Clark, 47, says he was never caught on camera running a red light and says he never confessed to shooting the camera. Recently, Clark was banned from all UT properties for undisclosed reasons.

According to Clark, the Knoxville Police Department incorrectly reported information on the incident. "The police told the media that I was photographed running a red light, then later retracted the claim. I never received a ticket," Clark said. 

Although the KPD cannot comment on Clark's pending criminal trial, Capt. Gordon Catlett rejects his claims of being framed by police. "There is no single shred of evidence to support this allegation. The officers involved have a proven professional record that is above reproach," Catlett said.

Catlett oversees the red-light camera program. At Knoxville intersections with the cameras, he reports total crashes decreased by 18 percent in 2007. Additionally, Catlett says angle crashes reduced by 42 percent and rear end collisions by 16 percent.

Still, some continue to challenge those statistics, and although red-light cameras are found in most cities these days, many individuals are strongly opposed to their existence and even believe they are unconstitutional.

"I'd like to stress that my opposition to the cameras is primarily due to the increased risk of accidents, injuries and fatalities…when local police (Gordon Catlett) claim that they save lives, the data is coming from those who profit from the cameras. Also, manipulating the light timing can yield any desired result," Clark said.              

On his Web site, Clifford Clark Speaks, Clark speaks out against the use of red-light cameras, suggesting alternatives to the cameras.  He argues that yellow lights could be lengthened to allow more time and warning for drivers to stop.

"If you want to save lives and reduce accidents, simply lengthen the duration of the yellow light. A countdown timer such as those used in cross walks could also be used to alert drivers to the remaining duration of the yellow light," Clark said.   

But Clark isn't the only one weary of the cameras. Public officials have also expressed criticism of the system. State Sen. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, introduced legislation that will regulate the fining system of red-light cameras in Tennessee cities. According to an article on Nashville's WSMV Channel 4 Web site, Burchett's legislation, which has already passed in the Senate, would require tickets to be sent twice by certified mail before late fees are added to the driver's $50 fine. Burchett doesn't believe the current fining system is being conducted fairly. 

"There is no one to address when it comes to paying or rebutting the fine. With the way it is set up, you might call about a ticket, but still nothing changes and you end up paying the fine. This is ridiculous; citizens should be able to face their accuser," he said.

Burchett has also expressed concern in regard to the mistiming of a yellow light in Chattanooga recently that led to about 150 refunded tickets. Chattanooga officials said the incident occurred because of a glitch in the electronics of the traffic light.  For this concern, Burchett's bill also addresses any timing discrepancies with the red-light cameras.

"Under this bill, the timers must be set by engineers and not the Treasury Department. After all, we want to detract from making this system for the purpose of generating revenue," he said.

Redflex, the private company that operates the red-light cameras in Knoxville, reports the photographs to KPD. Officers must then review the information and issue citations. Catlett says all fines go to the "City of Knoxville General Fund." If the driver pays the fine, the violation won't be filed on his or her insurance.  If a driver decides to challenge it, however, he or she risks extra court costs. If convicted in court, the violation could be added onto the driver's record as well. Some, then, are asking why anyone would want to run the risk of challenging a violation. 

"The problem is no one wants to fight it over a $50 ticket. So the government just gets to rip us off," said Kristen Vandergriff, a UT junior. She feels the fines are merely a form of taxation to get more revenue for the city. "I think the true intent is to get more money from us," she said. 

Clark goes beyond claiming the cameras are used for taxation, but instead calls the program a form of theft. 

"The red-light cameras are an example of how a very small number of people can engage in a blatant disregard for the welfare of others in an effort to stuff their pockets with ill gotten gain. Their callousness makes me sad. I prefer to consider the cameras a form of larceny rather than taxation," Clark said. 

Knoxville attorney Roland Cowden has also criticized the red-light camera enforcement program. According to an article on Knoxnews.com by Jamie Satterfield, Cowden believes the cameras are a sign of "the nightmare age envisioned by George Orwell." Cowden began fighting against the program when he received a ticket for failing to stop before turning right on a red light. Not only does he want his ticket dismissed, but he also wants the city to discontinue its current camera enforcement program. Cowden could not be reached for comment for this story.

Speeding cameras have also been proposed in Tennessee. Some believe increasing surveillance in the U.S. is a sign of "big brother's" growing power. Jackie Clowers, a UT senior, worries about what the increasing use of cameras could mean for the future.    

"Next it will be speeding cameras, then you will have cameras at all intersections watching traffic," Clowers said. "And if that power goes untouched you could have cameras almost everywhere to catch people jaywalking and other things."

However, drivers are more willing to accept the cameras if they believe they are actually saving lives. "I have a family friend who was just killed in a car accident because someone ran the red light and T-boned him. Had there been a camera there, the person might have been more careful and potentially saved his life," Vandergriff said. 

In the nation's capital; however, the red-light cameras haven't reduced accidents, according to a Washington Post article by Del Quentin Wilber and Derek Willis. Three outside traffic specialists reviewed a Washington Post study of crash statistics in Washington, D.C. and found that the cameras are not preventing injuries or collisions. In fact, the analysis revealed the number of crashes has actually increased at intersections with the cameras.

Still, others believe the cameras serve as a great advantage for traffic control because they allow police officers to focus on other duties. 

"I think they are a smart idea because the police cannot be everywhere at once. There are many times when I would see a car run a red light and wonder where a cop was when you need one, but now if they do it, they will have to pay a fine," Clowers said. 

While everyone wants to save lives and reduce wrecks, it may take more time to gain Knoxville drivers' complete support of the red-light camera enforcement program. In the meantime, public officials, lawyers and civilians continue to challenge aspects of the newly adapted technology as legal battles await resolution.