Traffic-enforcement cameras went dark in two central Ohio communities yesterday, hours after voters approved ballot measures that essentially banned them.

The camera ban squeaked by in Heath, where officials said they would not enforce any camera-generated tickets issued after midnight Tuesday. The cameras should be shut down by today.

In Chillicothe, where the camera-enforcement issue was approved by 72 percent of voters, Mayor Joseph Sulzer issued a statement yesterday afternoon saying use of the cameras would be suspended immediately.

Heath Police Chief Tony Shepherd said his officers never relaxed traffic enforcement in the city, and those efforts will continue now that the cameras are not being used. He said the city's brief experiment with the cameras might have been enough to alter driving behaviors, however.

"Camera enforcement was effective," he said. "It got traffic to where we want to see it."

Shepherd said he will introduce legislation at Monday's safety committee meeting to buy a mobile electronic speed-limit sign and two stationary signs to inform drivers of the speed limit and then show the speed they're traveling as determined by radar. The chief said the two signs will be placed at the north and south entrances to the city along Rt. 79.

Ronnie Kidd, a Heath resident and opponent of the cameras, said he was amazed that the vote was so close. The issue passed by a margin of 59 votes out of 3,579 cast. In other cities where the cameras have been challenged, the votes usually result in a landslide against photo enforcement, he said.

Kidd said his group will stay active and work with the city to promote greater traffic safety.

Mayor Richard Waugh, who lost his re-election bid Tuesday, said the camera issue took over the mayor's race. Waugh's opponent, Mark Johns, received the same number of votes as the camera ban.

"It brought out a lot of emotion," Waugh said. "And a lot of effort was put forth by the residents who did not want to see it continue."

The camera issues brought political change in Chillicothe, where three camera opponents won seats on the City Council. Jeremy Siberell won the 5th Ward race against William Bonner, and Joseph Sharp landed one of three at-large seats.

First-time candidate Bruce Arnold beat council President Bob Shoultz. Arnold worked with the group that placed the issue on the ballot. He said residents were upset by more than the cameras, but those topped the list.

"The voters definitely spoke out," Arnold said. "I think the combination of new and old blood will result in a very energetic and workable group on council."

jjarman@dispatch.com