A traffic camera that is at the corner of J.L. Chestnut and Franklin Street could be joined by several more in the future.

At Tuesday’s Selma City Council meeting, Mayor George Evans and Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley said there could be as many as eight or nine cameras installed.

For now, Riley said the camera is being used on a 30-day notice, in which only warnings will be issued. However, he said when the 30 days is up on July 29, violations will be issued.

“There will be no fines, but on July 29 citations will be issued,” Riley said.

Riley said the intent of the program is to enhance the safety of residents.

“Too many drivers choose to ignore traffic signals and risk the danger of running a red light,” he said. “We want to change this behavior and get people to slow down. Red light running is a dangerous habit that has serious consequences.”

The cameras, Riley said, will operate 24 hours a day. The department will review each violation before a ticket is issued.

Selma City Councilwoman Bennie Ruth Crenshaw said she had concerns over issuing violations through a camera. The camera, she said, might not tell the entire story.

“You have a picture of a tag and you can tell me I am responsible for a ticket even though I might not cause the violation,” she said. “I see some unfairness in that. When an officer pulls you over now, you might be in someone else’s vehicle, but that person is attached to the ticket. Not the car owner.”

Crenshaw also questioned the location of the first camera.

Riley said the location was researched and others would be chosen based on the number of people running traffic lights and complaints.

“That area was one that we do have a lot of problems with and a lot of calls to do red light enforcement there,” he said.

The research was based on an eight hour period.

Riley said there are a number of intersections in the city that are being targeted for red light cameras.

The anticipated outcome is simple, he said.

“We want people to become responsible drivers,” he said.

“We just want them to avoid doing the things that can cause danger.”