The Warwick City Council on Monday rejected a resolution that would have petitioned the Rhode Island legislature to allow the use of speed cameras within the state. In a 6-2 vote, the council rejected arguments including supporting testimony from Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey whose own camera plans were cut short by opposition in his own city.

A law allowing speed cameras in the state would be a significant boost for Rhode Island ticket camera vendor Nestor, Inc. which had donated $13,600 to Laffey's Republican primary challenge to U.S. Senator Lincoln Chafee.

Although two Warwick Democrats supported the proposal, Republican councilman Timothy Lee, a Providence police lieutenant, opposed the plan as thinly disguised revenue raising. "It's cloaking it in the interest of public safety," Lee said, as reported in the Providence Journal. "This radar-camera program will not reduce speed-related collisions."

Other council members suggested that removing the interaction between the police officer and the driver would leave no leeway for extenuating circumstances. "The discretion -- I think that's very important. There'd be no discretion here," said council President Donald Torres, a Democrat.