ORANGE PARK - Following the council's discovery of a decrease in car accidents due to red light camera enforcement, they considered adding a few more at Tuesday's meeting.

A couple of months ago, former interim Town Manager William Whitson requested that the police department review crash data at all traffic-light intersections within the town. This was to bring awareness to any intersections that might need a red-light camera.

Assistant Police Chief Cody Monroe presented data to the council, which showed that the intersection at Wells Road and Park Avenue had the highest number of reported crashes from 2022 to 2024.

During this period, the intersection experienced a total of 180 crashes, including nine crashes involving red-light violations and 16 crashes involving right turns. 

If the town were to install red light cameras at the intersection, they said it would aim to increase overall traffic safety by reducing the number of crashes, injuries and property damage.

Monroe also presented data from the Florida Department of Transportation, highlighting significant decreases in the number of violations and crashes at the town's three intersections equipped with cameras. 

From 2023 to 2024, there was a 62.5% decrease in red light violations, a 20.9% decrease in rear-end crashes, a 27.78% decrease in angled crashes, a 71.43% decrease in angled red-light crashes, a 43.86% decrease in injuries, a 71.43% decrease in injuries at red lights and a 33.33% decrease in non-motorist accidents.

Although the town did see an 11.76% increase in property damage incidents.

"There's definitely a reduction in crashes since before we had the red-light cameras to now," Monroe said.

After seeing the data, the town made no official plans to begin a potential project. However, Mayor Randy Anderson said the data warrants potentially adding red-light cameras to the intersection.

To move forward, the council would need to create a town ordinance in accordance with Florida law. The council also requested that the police department and the Public Safety/Works Committee obtain further information on viability and cost analysis.

In other business:

Council voted to approve an approximately $167,000 contract with Joseph Taylor for the new town manager position at Tuesday's meeting. Taylor is the current city administrator for Center Point, Iowa.

Taylor would need to accept the town's offer by Oct. 10. If he accepts, his contract allows for a start date of Dec. 1. Acting Town Manager and Finance Director John Villanueva will continue to serve in the position until Nov. 30.