Latest news briefs include trash catching fire in a garbage truck on Greenback Lane, Citrus Heights’ red light camera controversy hitting the evening news, upcoming public hearings at city hall, and an update on a police-sponsored Youth Leadership Academy.
Metro Fire: Garbage truck catches fire on Greenback Lane
Fire officials said trash in a garbage truck caught fire while the driver was finishing his route on Greenback Lane on Friday — but the quick-thinking driver found an open court to drop his burning load, rather than dump it on the busy roadway. Metro Fire posted a photo on social media showing the burning trash being extinguished by firefighters, along with photos of several children in the neighborhood who were invited to help spray down the garbage with a fire hose. Additional details were not included. (See photos)
FOX 40: Are red light cameras life savers or revenue generators?
Following several recent stories published by The Sentinel on red light cameras, Fox 40 ran a TV segment about the Citrus Heights cameras in an Aug. 2 news report. The Fox 40 report incorrectly stated that injury collisions have risen at all intersections with red light cameras, although police data does show injury collisions rose at the majority of intersections where red light cameras have been installed in the city. Reporter Mark Demsky interviewed a police lieutenant and Councilman Bret Daniels, with Daniels claiming the cameras are more about revenue generation and police claiming the cameras reduce collisions.
The city annually receives an average of about $640,000 from red light camera citations, after state and court fees are taken out, and police said the city nets about $57,000 after subtracting the cost of implementing the program and paying Redflex Traffic Systems. According to Fox 40, more than 60 cities in California have discontinued using red light cameras (see news video). A letter by resident David Sloan published in the Sacramento Bee on Aug. 5 also criticized the new red light cameras and signal arrangements at Parkoaks Drive and Greenback Lane as possibly contributing to collisions for the colorblind. (See letter)
Citrus Heights city council agenda: new pay rates, vote center, public hearings
An upcoming Aug. 10 Citrus Heights council meeting is set to include several public hearings, discussion of using city hall as a voting station in 2018, and annual approval of pay rates for city employees. Public hearings include several routine approvals related to annual landscape and lighting assessments, as well as a public hearing for a zoning code amendment dealing with regulation and placement of wireless cell towers. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at 6360 Fountain Square Drive. (See agenda packet)
Police Activities League kicks off 2017 Youth Leadership Academy
Over 60 local kids participated in this year’s Youth Leadership Academy, put on by the Citrus Heights Police Activities League. In a posting on social media last week, police said the five-day academy kicked off on July 31 and gave officers an opportunity to develop relationships with kids, as well as offer educational presentations and activities.
The academy included presentations from the department’s crime scene investigation unit and SWAT team, as well as sessions on character development and drug awareness, police said. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber), who represents Citrus Heights in the California legislature, also presented a session on “making good decisions.” The Police Activities League was founded in 2009 and seeks to foster positive relationships between youth and law enforcement officers.
Also in recent news:
- Hot August Bites in Citrus Heights is revving things up for 2017 event
- Q&A: why isn’t roadwork on Sunrise Blvd done at night?
- National Night Out brings police, neighbors together in Citrus Heights
- How much money do red light cameras actually make?
