Hammond police Chief Brian Miller has learned one thing while researching the possibility of having red light cameras installed in the city -- people either love them or hate them.

Miller said proponents say they don't run red lights, and that installing cameras might deter others from doing so.

Opponents say it's an invasion of privacy and just another way for government to get money from people.

But police officials like Miller and Portage police Chief Mark Becker say they would only use the cameras to target dangerous intersections.

"Our primary purpose would be public safety. Cameras will generate money, but that's not our purpose," Becker said.

"We would pick the intersections that have the absolute most accidents, ones that have had fatal accidents and serious injury accidents," Miller added.

"It's all kind of a moot point because the state may or may not approve it."

Before individual communities in Indiana can install red lights, they have to wait for state legislators to approve their use in the state. So far, such measures have been shot down.

Red light cameras are allowed in Illinois. Chicago is among the cities employing them. Other cities, like Lansing, may consider them in the future, said Lansing police Chief Dennis Murrin Jr.

And many police agencies in Indiana are preparing in case they are approved in that state.

Becker said red light cameras are like any emerging technology in that it at least merits consideration.

"As with any issue or topic, there's always the pros and cons," Becker said.

"We are trying to determine if it's a good fit for Portage. ... Personally, I always like to look for new ways of doing things."

Becker said one advantage of red light cameras is that private companies set them up at no charge to the city in exchange for a portion of the revenue they generate. Also, they allow for enforcement without having to pay for and deploy extra manpower. The only task the police agency has to do is review the camera's photographs of violators to confirm a violation occurred.

Becker said those in favor of cameras say they cut down on red light running and therefore reduce high-impact crashes. He said opponents believe the cameras are another sign of "big government," and that they do more harm than good because people jam on the brakes to avoid being photographed and instead cause a rear-end crash.

Becker said Portage has identified a few intersections along Willowcreek Road that would be good candidates for cameras. He said intersections that received cameras would be studied to see if they are promoting safety, not having any change or creating more problems. He said the department isn't afraid to abandon a program that isn't working.

Miller said the cameras would generate money, but he sees them not as money-generating tools, but as safety tools.

"I'd only use it at the intersections where I thought it would be beneficial," Miller said, citing State Line and 165th as an example.

Miller said he would be most interested in camera systems that photograph both the license plate and the driver of the offending vehicle so as to avoid problems with vehicle owners being held responsible for the actions of others who drive the car.

Miller said he, too, would study the cameras' effectiveness and discontinue their use if the safety objectives of the program aren't being met.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said studies show positive benefits from red light cameras, like fewer red light violations, fewer injury accidents and fewer front-into-side crashes. Overall, the IIHS states the benefits outweigh the negatives, and that "translates into a crash reduction benefit of approximately $39,000 per site per year."

A study by the Virginia Transportation Research Council, however, showed red light cameras generally increased rear-end crashes (apparently from people slamming on the brakes to avoid receiving a fine), but crashes from running red lights decreased. Overall, crashes increased, according to the study.

In addition, the cameras caused an increase in accident costs in some jurisdictions and a decrease in others. A main recommendation from that study is that red light cameras should not be implemented without an intersection-specific study. And, once a camera is installed, the crash results should be analyzed, according to the study.

Police officials in Indiana are ready to test the cameras in their jurisdictions if the state ever allows the cameras.

"I'd like to see it pass so at least we would have the option," Miller said.