‘Picture radar is not a bullet for visitors security,’ says Devin Dreeshen, the Danielle Smith authorities’s transportation minister and no fan of picture radar
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One particular person’s money cow is one other particular person’s milk.
The cops like picture radar. They don’t see it as a money cow.
No, they inform us picture radar is all about legislation and order, public security, maintaining the roads secure.
Alberta has extra picture radar, far more, than wherever else in Canada however it’s not a lot safer than elsewhere.
Regardless of. Limit picture radar and there might be a rise in nasty and generally lethal collisions. That’s what Calgary high cop Mark Neufeld says.
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Individuals discuss fishing holes, the police say there aren’t any fishing holes.
They aren’t parked at fishing holes, in low-accident areas the place it’s straightforward to nab individuals, like stretches of street the place the velocity restrict shortly modifications to a decrease restrict.
Calgary metropolis corridor declares and insists picture radar isn’t a money cow, it simply generates money. Riddle me that, Batman!
If the federal government of Premier Danielle Smith actually clamps down on picture radar use what’s the UCP going to do for the town cops when there are fewer {dollars} from fines?
That’s what Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek asks.
Devin Dreeshen is Smith’s level man on picture radar. Sure, that’s the identical man who’s Smith’s level man on Calgary’s Inexperienced Line LRT.
He’s a busy dude.
Dreeshen isn’t a giant fan of picture radar although he doesn’t advocate banning it, as was performed way back by Mike Harris, an Ontario premier of the muscular conservative persuasion.
He says no selections have been made by the UCP cupboard, Smith’s internal circle. They’ve till Dec. 1 to do one thing.
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Within the cities, Dreeshen would similar to to see picture radar in class zones, playground zones and development zones. Interval. Full cease.
However the Smith authorities can nonetheless resolve to permit extra picture radar places.
There are probably these in Smith’s crowd who don’t wish to piss off the cops or don’t wish to get into extra aggravation with the likes of Mayor Gondek or simply typically don’t wish to step out and take a stand on something the place public opinion is split.
A pair in Smith’s internal circle have taken on the picture radar money cow themselves prior to now and the cow received. Simply.
So will the UCP associate with the form of very restricted use of picture radar Dreeshen is pitching?
“Possibly,” says Dreeshen.
The person sheds no tears for the town police or Calgary metropolis council once they lament the lack of dough from fines.
Dreeshen says picture radar isn’t about making a living.
For individuals who say picture radar isn’t any money cow they positive do cry in the event that they get much less milk.
He says many Albertans rightly see picture radar fishing holes. Others need the cops to place picture radar the place they please.
The province’s transportation minister, that’s Dreeshen’s official title, says public response on the problem is “blended.”
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He says “picture radar isn’t a silver bullet for visitors security.”
What’s the view of UCP politicians?
“There’s all kinds of opinions.”
The money cow is one powerful critter.
Years in the past the NDP authorities below Premier Rachel Notley vowed to humanely put down the picture radar money cow. Not!
In a nosecount, virtually two out of three Albertans believed picture radar was to an incredible or reasonable extent in regards to the money. Just one in 12 Albertans thought picture radar wasn’t in regards to the cash in any respect.
Two years earlier, the NDP known as a information convention about picture radar earlier than Wildrose took to the stage on the identical problem.
Keep in mind them?
In 2019, the UCP below former premier Jason Kenney talked powerful. Picture radar was on its final legs.
At the moment, some within the UCP talked powerful, others had been a lot nearer to moist noodles.
“This cow is taking a mighty very long time to die,” stated this scribbler on the time.
Ultimately, the federal government served up phrase salads, not pink meat on this file.
Now, earlier this 12 months, the Danielle Smith authorities was on the street to slashing 80 p.c or extra of Alberta picture radar.
“Lots of people have known as picture radar a money cow and I’m completely happy to say the money cow goes to be on the barbecue this summer season in Alberta,” stated Dreeshen in June.
However, come December, will the cow nonetheless be within the barn, contented as all get out, having received one more reprieve?
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