KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- How bad is red-light running? It's bad enough that Kansas City is considering putting cameras at intersections to catch drivers breaking the law, KMBC reported.

A public hearing was held Tuesday night that included a special task force and the police board of commissioners.

The cameras would snap photos of red-light runners and, in some cases, a ticket would be sent in the mail.

Those in favor of the traffic cameras said they will relieve police officers and allow them to focus on other crimes, as well as lower the number of traffic accidents at intersections.

"I believe being able to have those cameras taking those license plates from behind will certainly curb that," said Mamie Hughes, one of several residents who spoke at Tuesday's hearing.

Opponents told KMBC that this is just another way for the city to make money. They call it a back-door tax.

"I'm definitely against these cameras that automatically issue tickets," said Jim Stoll, who thinks only police officers should do that job. "These cameras have no compassion or common sense. Everybody knows what it's like driving in Kansas City. The officers realize this and keep the traffic moving -- these cameras will not."

KMBC's Marcus Moore reported that the camera campaign is in its early stages -- city leaders held the hearing to get public input on the matter.

If the idea is approved, Kansas City wouldn't be the first town to install the cameras. Last week, the City Council in Sugar Creek approved the purchase of a red-light camera for the busy intersection of Highway 291 and Courtney Road.

"This a perfect example of a very dangerous intersection that we think will provide a deterrent that will slow people down and prevent accidents in the future," Sugar Creek Mayor Stanley Salva said. "We see this as a way of really addressing a dangerous situation."

A Kansas City committee will investigate the idea further and hold another meeting in the future.