Getting Reaction in the New Age

There's been a lot of buzz about how electronic media will allow elected officials and citizens to exchange ideas. So I tried a little experiment, and posted some news on Facebook and on Twitter.

The news was that the city of Lakewood's collection of traffic fines is up 40 percent for the first three months of 2009 compared with the first three months of 2008, for total of about $200,000 more. I have to say, I didn't get a lot of feedback, but what I got was very high quality.

This is what I posted, because I was interested in what people thought: Lakewood WA traffic cameras collecting 200K more so far in 09, up 40%. Keeping drivers safe or fining people too much?

One person on Twitter, a former co-worker, wrote: or just creepy Big Brother technology that should rile small "l" libertarian minds like yours?

Another person offered two thoughts:

Assuming accident rates are down 20% in camera zones, how does that compare to non-camera zones? w/out those numbers, can't tell.

I responded that there was indeed a reduction and then the other person responded: Thx. If trying to decide if cameras improve safety, prob should get stats on camera v. non-camera areas. 20% citywide is good news.

and meanwhile, another person who've I've never met in the flesh asked for more info. I gave her some News Tribune stories about the subject of traffic fines and traffic cameras. She responded Cool, just curious. Wenatchee is in process of installing red-light cameras.

So that was Twitter.

Meantime, here was the reaction on Facebook. Four very thoughtful reactions:

It depends, if it's you running the red lights. It is frustrating when the light turns green and you have to wait for 4-5 more cars as they keep going through.

It is obviously not high enough. People are still running the lights. It is a major cause of traffic death here in Florida where the red light means next 3 cars.

My theory: Weak budgets and hungry cops. At a minimum, I suspect there is pressure from the top to enforce hard, it seems to be that way everywhere these days.

Keep up the GOOD work. TOO many people speed every day and there is NO reason to drive fast. We are not driving the Indy 500 here - Speed KILLS!

I have to tell you ... I was very impressed with the points of view.

BUT

and there's a BUT

Not a single one of these folks lives in Lakewood.

So ... great views. Great Internet exchanges. Zip interaction with Lakewood.

I think in part it's because Lakewood folks are not on the Internet as much as they will be in, say, a few months or a year. Or .... it might just be I'm not in the right places. So now I am posting this on my Lakewood blog ... will be interested to see if I get more reaction ...