Running a red light is never a bright idea, but now it will cost violators in Brookfield.

Brookfield’s Village Board voted unanimously Monday, Oct. 13, for placing red light enforcement cameras at intersections indicated as high risk for accidents and violations.

The camera company, Redflex, will be analyzing which intersections would benefit most from the camera enforcement and will make recommendations to the village, Reflex spokesman Donald Nelson said at the Sept. 22 Village Board meeting.

“The goal is a true safety program,” Nelson said. “Our goal is to permanently change driver behavior, reduce the number of accidents and fatalities that can be caused.”

When the intersections are selected, the cameras will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are effective in all weather conditions, Nelson said. Cameras will not be hidden and signs will be posted at the intersection alerting motorists. The point is to get drivers to understand the village is enforcing the red light violations, he said.

Redflex takes no part in issuing tickets. When a violation occurs, video footage is sent to the Brookfield Police Department, and officers determine whether a violation has taken place.

The cost for one camera system is $4,396 per month. Each time a citation is printed, the cost is $4.80. However, Nelson assured the Village Board it would not have to budget for the program — fine revenue typically pays for the system.

Violators also tend to be from out of town, he said.

The contract between the village and Redflex will be for five years but will not begin until intersections have been analyzed, approved and the cameras are up and running.

Police Chief Steven Stelter said many community governments are in favor of the cameras, and the goal of the cameras is to reduce accidents.

“When it first came out it was controversial, but those issues have been ironed out,” Stelter said. “I see nothing but a positive with this system.”