Brookfield’s Village Board is considering placing red light enforcement cameras at intersections that have been indicated as high risk for accidents and violations.

Police Chief Steven Stelter said a lot of community governments are in favor of the cameras, and that the goal of the cameras are 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.”

Redflex is the company that presented the cameras to the board Monday night. Spokesman

Donald Nelson said the company has contracts in 20 states and in Illinois alone Redflex services 30 communities.

“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.”

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.

The point is to get drivers to understand the village is enforcing the violations of driving through a red light, 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 board it would not have to budget for the program — violators typically pay for the system through their fines.

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

“Local residents won’t be the ones committing the violations,” Nelson said. “Where you get the numbers are from folks traveling through and visitors who are not aware of them or the driving conditions.”

The contract between the village and Redflex would be for five years if approved.

As of Monday night, there has been no determination as to where these red light enforcement cameras will be placed but Nelson said until the Police Department and Redflex has agreed on a location and the first camera goes live, the contract does not begin.

The board will take action on this topic at the Monday, Oct. 13, board meeting.