Electronic ticketing devices and more LED streetlights are on the way.

HRM is sharing the cost with the province on electronic ticketing devices, which will be installed in Halifax Regional Police and RCMP vehicles.

Currently, the tickets are written out by hand, which leads to illegible scrawl and human errors.

The devices will reduce overtime and increase  “officer productivity,” according to the staff report.

The province and the HRM are chipping in $350,000 each.

Coun. Jerry Blumenthal said he is worried officers will hand out more tickets to offset the cost.

But  Cathie O’Toole, director of finance, was quick to explain there will be some more tickets handed out because there will be greater efficiency, but not to cover the costs of the devices.

She said time saved by police and clerks keying in the tickets will save between $400,000 to $1.1 million a year.

HRM is also hoping to save on energy costs by installing 2,400 more LED lights as part of a second phase of a pilot project already underway.

It will cost $300,000.

Several councillors brought forward concerns from residents that the LED lights, especially on Lacewood Drive, aren’t bright enough.

“Residents describe them as a narrow beam of light like a flashlight,” said Coun. Mary Wile, who added some of her constituents have complained that bus stops aren’t lit well enough.

And there are many complaints that Nova Scotia Power doesn’t replace the lights it is responsible for in a timely manor.

Angus Doyle, manager of utilities co-ordination, said NSP has committed to increasing its service levels.