LOCAL RED LIGHT CAMERA REPLACED BY PHOTO-SNAPPING WORKER

Traffic Monitor Dale Fergerman aims
his camera at a red light violator

Red light cameras can generate significant revenue for local governments, but they're also expensive to buy and maintain.  That's why one local government has dumped its camera in favor of an employee with a camera perched in a seat high above the intersection.

"Red light camera systems cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, but we pay Dale minimum wage and buy him a Subway combo when he comes down off the light post," said Streets and Highways Department Manager Dick Bob Zindle.  

He was referring to traffic monitor Dale Fergerman, who spends several hours each day high above the intersection snapping photographs of red light violators.  

"It's really worked out well...except for the time Dale fell out of his chair and landed on a nun in the crosswalk below.  We bought her a sandwich.  She was very nice about it," said Zindle.