Laurel: To slowing down. Pittsburgh City Council is taking steps toward using cameras at red lights.

Council authorized the use of automated red light enforcement last year. The technology would snap pictures of drivers who run lights and then send them tickets by mail.

Now they are working toward a contract with Verra Mobility to install and operate the cameras.

“We have to take strong measures like this that will, for some people, feel unpopular,” said Councilwoman Erika Strassburger, D-Squirrel Hill, who sponsored the new legislation. “But this is about saving lives.”

It has the potential to do more. First, the $14 million contract spread over five years may be recovered through the revenue generated by tickets, but there is another benefit. The cameras could free up police officers.

The cameras and automatically generated tickets would not require an officer to be monitoring intersections. The number of officers working in the city is at a low point right now. Programs like this, automating a function that can be safely done by technology, could allow the department to better allocate resources.

Lance: To selfish greed. That’s how Christopher Halaszynski, 54, a former McKeesport police captain, described his actions to investigators.

On Tuesday, Halaszynski pleaded guilty to theft and receiving stolen property in front of Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Satler.

Some people might not know the property they are receiving is stolen. Halaszynski definitely did. He was taking the cash out of his department’s evidence room. The total was $260,000. He has repaid $4,500 so far.

In addition, he will serve 16 years on probation.

We have harshly criticized other members of law enforcement for criminal actions, but this time is different. Halaszynski admitted it “became easy” and that what started as using small amounts from old cases to pay bills later became larger amounts to pay for things like holiday travel.

His lawyer pointed to the former captain being filled with remorse and embarrassment, and Halaszynski himself told the judge, “I have a lot of shame.” That may be true. It should be true.

But what Satler said is undeniable, calling the crime “a tremendous violation of trust.”

A police officer should understand that evidence is kept for a reason. Money in a case is kept because it may be required again in the future. Cases can be appealed or retried. If the evidence is compromised, a criminal can go free.

Because of that, Halaszynski’s crimes are not victimless. There is no way to repay what was taken.

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