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Iowa police chiefs defend traffic cameras

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — Several Iowa police chiefs have spoken out against proposed state rules for traffic cameras, but a state official says the chiefs are just protecting a revenue source.

The Des Moines Register says (http://dmreg.co/18Fpzan ) the chiefs spoke Wednesday at a public hearing in Ankeny sponsored by the Iowa Transportation Department. They say the cameras are reducing crashes by catching people speeding and running red lights.

But department director Paul Trombino said after the hearing that the chiefs were just watching out for the money and said, "This is revenue disguised as safety."

The proposed rules would not apply to city or county roadways. The proposals are aimed at using traffic cameras as a last resort after a road's design, engineering and other safety factors are considered.

No decisions were made Wednesday.

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Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com

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