Ramsey Says Cameras Cut Red-Light Violations

Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey announced yesterday a significant reduction in red-light violations at intersections with stoplight cameras.

The number of infractions at the city's 49 camera-monitored intersections fell by almost two-thirds, from 38,000 to 14,000. The city began installing the cameras in 1999.

The cameras deter red-light running, Ramsey said, while sending a strong message about traffic enforcement in the District: "If you don't want a ticket, don't break the law. Don't speed and certainly, don't run red lights."

He announced the reductions at a news conference at Third Street and Independence Avenue SW, where he said the number of violations had been cut in half since a camera was installed in 2000.

Ramsey said he would like to see the camera-enforcement program expanded.

About the crime emergency declared last month, Ramsey said he is not sure that it needs to continue much longer. Ramsey said he will confer with Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) to determine whether the 30-day measure should be extended. Without further action, it expires tomorrow.

One factor Ramsey said he is weighing is how much longer police officers can continue sacrificing time with their families because of the measure.

"If we continue on the way we are going, we probably won't [continue the crime emergency] until the end of the summer," Ramsey said. "Although it's already August, so I guess we'll be close."

The crime emergency, declared after 13 homicides in 11 days, allows Ramsey to extend workweeks and otherwise alter officers' schedules. The D.C. Council also approved a 10 p.m. curfew for anyone younger than 17 and neighborhood surveillance cameras.

Having more officers on the streets led to a 14 percent reduction in all crime in the first week of August, compared with the same period last year, Ramsey said.

At the onset of the emergency, Williams said he hoped violent crime would drop 50 percent. Violent crime has declined but not that much.

From July 12 to Aug. 6, 603 violent crimes were reported, down 4 percent from a year before. Police reported a 42 percent increase in the number of juvenile arrests, from 205 to 291.

At his weekly news briefing, Williams said the new crime statistics are encouraging.

"The trend is going in the right direction, but there's still a lot of work to do," he said. He said he will push to make permanent some legislative measures enacted on an emergency basis.

Staff writer Elissa Silverman contributed to this report.