By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

Selma has begun taking steps it hopes will decrease car accidents and traffic violations and increase safety.

The city is in the process of installing two red light cameras; one located in the area of Broad Street and L.L. Anderson Avenue and another at the intersection of J.L. Chestnut Jr. Avenue and Franklin Street.

“Our hope is to decrease traffic accidents and infractions,” Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley said. “We’re trying to make the city as safe as possible.”

Riley said hardware for the camera located at J.L. Chestnut Boulevard and Franklin Street is completely installed.

Riley also said the Broad Street camera is in the process of being installed, but the city has to apply for permits from the state due to Broad Street being a state highway and the camera will have to meet certain requirements.

When the cameras do become active, motorists will not be without warning.

“Once the cameras are up, we’ll send out notices when they start,” Riley said. “We’ll put up signs saying the intersection is being monitored and we’ll give out warning tickets.”

Riley said the hope is for the cameras to be fully operational in about 60 days. The decision to install them was driven by a hope to increase motor safety.

“We have so many people who disregard signs and lights, and it’s a safety problem,” Riley said. “Some people run lights without regard to the safety of others, and it’s dangerous.”

Riley said the city ultimately hopes to install ten cameras at intersections throughout the city.

He said the cameras will not only increase safety on the roads, but they could also help the police department solve crimes.

“On the crime side it’ll help because if, for instance, there’s a shooting and we get a vehicular description, then we can go check the cameras, and we may be able to identify the vehicle,” Riley said. “They could also help us solve burglaries and other crimes.”

Attempts to reach Selma Mayor George Evans were unsuccessful.