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Q&A

Lee and Flynn debate whether camera program is revenue-based

New York City Council · May 29, 2026 · starts 0:33:27 · 1 min 19 sec

Lee asks about proportional revenue from more cameras. Flynn emphasizes zero revenue would indicate success, and the program is about changing driver behavior, not generating revenue.

Mike Flynn

Chair, just to highlight what the Commissioner said earlier, if we generated zero revenue, that would be a successful program.

Mike Flynn

This is not a revenue-based program, and we're just trying to change driver behavior.

Linda Lee

I'm sorry, can you repeat that?

Mike Flynn

Just to highlight what the Commissioner said earlier, if we generated zero dollars in revenue, that would be a successful program.

Mike Flynn

We're never looking at it as a revenue-based program.

Mike Flynn

It's more about changing driver behavior.

Linda Lee

Agree, but I think when we're looking for ways to generate, it's just, I guess I'm just not asking about the intent, but it's more about,

Linda Lee

do you foresee that if there's more red light cameras, there would be, in theory, more revenue?

Eric Beaton

And to speak at a high level, I think one of the things that we see is in the initial period where installation happens, there is a spike.

Eric Beaton

Right?

Eric Beaton

People are unfamiliar.

Eric Beaton

But what we also see is that driver behavior improves.

Eric Beaton

So I don't think we can say for the status quo number for what you see in your metrics there, that would be...

Eric Beaton

of what we would see in a scalar program.

Linda Lee

Okay.

Linda Lee

I mean, yes, just for the record, I agree.

Linda Lee

We want to change driver behavior.

Linda Lee

That's the ultimate goal.

Linda Lee

But I'm just trying to get a sense, since it's a budget hearing, right, of where you think the numbers will land.

Linda Lee

Okay.