This photo taken Sept. 28, 2010, shows a photo-enforced stop sign camera and warning sign at the Top Of Topanga overlook in Topanga, Calif. Traffic cameras have increasingly stirred controversy as cash-strapped cities rely on them to enforce rules of the road. Proponents say the cameras are a valuable tool for protecting public safety at a time when police departments are stretched thin, though their effectiveness has been questioned. ( AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

The Los Angeles Police Department on Tuesday continued to defend its use of the controversial and costly red-light traffic camera program, but with time running out on the contract, the Police Commission punted the issue to the City Council.

In an unusual split vote, the civilian oversight panel moved 3-2 to approve an LAPD response defending the red-light program against criticisms raised in a recent report by a motorist advocacy group. That report, "Safer Streets in Los Angeles," questioned the need for a red-light program and called for better traffic engineering countermeasures and more study before extending a contract for cameras at 32 intersections.

But LAPD officials said while engineering measures such as lengthening yellow lights have been implemented at the intersections, the cameras are still needed to cite violators.

"Respect for traffic laws and reducing dangerous driver habits are essential to traffic safety," wrote Capt. Thomas McDonald. "Therefore, a strong law enforcement component must always accompany even the most rigorous engineering program."

The department and commission have been mulling the issue since January, when City Council members Jan Perry and Dennis Zine called for an analysis of the Safer Streets report and questioned the cost-effectiveness of the program.

The report calls for lengthening yellow lights and implementing an all-red phase for cars to clear intersections, and claims that the number of accidents can be slashed even without cameras. There hasn't been a study to determine if the cameras were even needed before the city signed the contract, said report author Jay Beeber, founder of Safer Streets L.A., a motorist safety advocacy group.

The yellow signal times were increased at the same time the cameras were put in, and the results were credited solely to the cameras, Beeber said.

"If you don't do the engineering and make those changes, then see what happens, you don't know whether you need a red-light camera at the intersection," Beeber said Tuesday. "Their approach is, 'We need the cameras anyway, no matter what happens.' That's not a cost-effective way to enforce the law."

The cameras, which cost about $8,000 per intersection, have operated at a loss of $2.6 million in the past two years.

"If you can do the countermeasures without the cost, maybe you're better off doing that," said Commissioner Richard Drooyan, who cast a dissenting vote after the 90-minute discussion. "The first thing you should be doing is doing a study before you put the cameras on the poles, not after. We seem to be putting the cart before the horse."

But LAPD has cited a 63 percent decrease in accidents at monitored intersections and no fatalities, compared to four reported before. The effects are equivalent to 100 officers patrolling those intersections, said Sgt. Matthew MacWillie. About 46,000 tickets were issued at those locations last year.

"It's disproportionately much more expensive to staff 32 intersections, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, versus a photo red light intersection," said LAPD Assistant Chief Michel Moore. "We believe this is an effective tool."

The commission warily approved LAPD's response, adding a caveat that both LAPD's reports and the Safer Streets analysis also be sent to the City Council's Public Safety Committee for consideration.

"I just am not satisfied that I know enough as to whether or not if it's the right approach," Drooyan said. "I just didn't think there was enough information."

The decision now rests with the City Council, which will consider an up-to-three-month extension of the current contract with American Traffic Solutions while the cost-effectiveness of the program was analyzed.