The Los Angeles Police Commission took steps Tuesday to ensure that the city's red-light enforcement cameras keep operating, even if the financially struggling company that operates the high-tech system is liquidated to pay creditors.

Nestor Traffic Systems is roughly $33 million in debt and being run by a court-appointed receiver who could either sell the company to a buyer willing to continue the business, or liquidate the company's assets.

Eighteen bids have been submitted for the company, and a judge is expected to make a decision on the matter within 90 days.

The Police Commission directed department officials to prepare - but not issue - requests for proposals (RFP) from other companies interested in operating a red-light camera system for the city.

Commissioner Alan Skobin said the city will prepare a draft RFP so it has options. It could not be formally issued without Police Commission and City Council approval.

Skobin noted that the procedure for completing an RFP takes eight months to a year.

Sgt. Matthew MacWillie of the department's Emergency Operations Division stressed the importance of keeping the red-light cameras online, saying the system has led to a significant reduction in traffic collisions.

"It saves lives," he said.

Testifying before a City Council committee a few weeks ago, Police Deputy Chief Richard Roupoli said the red-light cameras have also netted the city millions in revenue.

Since the first intersection camera went online in April 2006, the program has issued more than 96,000 citations.

Each citation costs $496. The city collects $148 of that amount, while the rest goes to the state and county.