MICHAEL SWAN: YOU'VE BEEN WARNED >>>

Use of red light cameras - which advocates say promotes safety, but is really just another way of shaking down motorists for money - will grow in Tacoma tonight after the clock ticks past midnight.

The Tacoma Police Department sent us this warning:

The City of Tacoma's two new speed cameras are scheduled to go live at 12:01 A.M. on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009.  One of the cameras has been placed along the Bay Street curve (2900 E Bay St) in an area difficult to enforce by traditional means and with an above average number of accidents each year.  The second camera has been installed near the intersection of 26th and North Orchard Street in Tacoma's north end.  This is near Downing Elementary School and the camera will be used to assist with school zone enforcement when children are present.
 
After the cameras go live the first two weeks will be a warning period.  Owners of the offending vehicle will receive a letter in the mail but no fine.  Beginning December 2nd, 2009 owners of offending vehicles will receive a letter in the mail and a citation for $101.  The speeding citation will be treated the same as a parking ticket, just as the red light camera tickets have been.  These tickets do not go on your driving record.