As it began exploring the use of red-light cameras Tuesday, the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners heard from a skeptical public concerned about traffic enforcement and “Big Brother” surveillance.

“I feel a human being can make a better judgment call than a camera,” Kansas City resident Lamar Mickens told the board during an evening public forum at which about a dozen persons spoke.

“This is an encroachment on freedom,” said Jim Stoll. “I find the Big Brother syndrome to be very distasteful to me.”

A few speakers favored the cameras to deter what they see as a major cause of auto accidents. But the majority questioned whether the city is trying to protect the public or simply wants to increase revenues through more traffic tickets.

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