Tampa's red light cameras may be on their way out despite support from local law enforcement.
"The purpose of the red light cameras was to educate the public. To hopefully, prevent those accidents from happening at those intersections,” said Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward.
Tampa's contract with American Traffic Solutions will expire in April unless renewed by city leaders and it's already being challenged.
"As it stands, that contract, I am almost positive, will not pass,” said Tampa City Council member Yvonne Yolie Capin.
Capin says the cameras don't work for three reasons.
"The crash data, the safety issues, the dollars. It's not a good return on investment for our citizens,” she said.
Numbers in other cities like Lakeland have shown they contribute to pedestrian accidents.
Red light cameras statewide are under scrutiny. Cities like North Miami and Gulfport have taken them down because of court appeals.
"Some people call what the city's doing taxation by citation, but I think it's nothing more than extortion," said Deborah Blake who had her red light ticket vacated in Gulfport.
While Tampa's cameras are still flashing, they may not be for long if city councilors don't vote to renew the contract.
"I think we'll see,” said Tampa City Council Member Harry Cohen.
