Peoria City Council Quiet About Decision to Extend Photo Contract

shhh

The Peoria City Council apparently does not want the public to know about its recent decision to extend the red light photo enforcement contract with Redflex. The pilot program began in 2008 and is up for renewal every year. In August the Arizona Republic reported that accidents more than doubled at intersections where cameras are installed. While most organizations would probably cancel a pilot program the decisively showed results the exact opposite of what was desired, the Peoria City Council didn’t let the program results get in the way of their quest for revenue as they voted to extend the “pilot” program for another year.

The Peoria City Council usually is not shy about reporting its decisions and accomplishments to its citizens, except apparently when it comes to the deadly red light camera program. In the latest quarterly newsletter, the Peoria Focus Issue 4 (2009) sent to all residents, the section titled “City Council Highlights” fails to mention this decision to extend the contract. There’s over an inch and a half of extra (blank) column space to print this news, so space or higher-priority content is not the issue. The column does mention such minor announcements as decisions to accept and authorize grants, contracts, or spending in the amount of $3,000, $30,000 and $36,000 and more, so contract size or impact definitely isn’t an issue. Surely the decision to extend a contract to Redflex would be included… but only if they wanted the citizens to be more aware of their decision to keep the cash coming in at the expense of the health and safety of their constituents. It seems that the council is very well aware of the public sentiment regarding photo enforcement and their hoping to just let this issue slip under the radar.

Red Light Cameras Again Prove Ineffective and Dangerous: Accidents Increase 133% in Temple Terrace, FL

Red Light Camera Accident

It’s no surprise to those of us at CameraFraud, but councilman Halloway of Temple Terrace, FL was shocked on Friday to hear that accidents INCREASED at red light camera intersections in his city, according to ABC News. Halloway had fallen for ATS’ slick sales fantasy of safety and profits and didn’t want to believe the news that could jeopardize the city’s cash cow, “That’s nonsense. Where are you getting your data?” City Councilor Ken Halloway asked. After being shown the data from the city, he still didn’t want to accept the harsh reality, “That doesn’t sound right to me.”

Believe it councilman, your city is just one on the growing list of cities where red light cameras have been proven to be deadly and dangerous:

• Upland, CA
• Peoria, AZ
• Grande Prairie, AB
• San Bernadino, CA
• Costa Mesa, CA
• El Monte, CA
• Loma Linda, CA

What do these cities all have in common? They all have what is referred to as “infomercial syndrome.” The city councils were mesmerized by the incredible claims and smooth presentation… increased safety… easy money… won’t cost you anything… we take care of everything. It’s so easy! Act Now! And just like the consumer who bought an Ab Roller expecting amazing results, these cities are realizing that the claims are all bogus. In reality, the answers are simple, but they are the answers that no one wants to hear. The person who bought the Ab Roller really just needs a trainer and a gym membership. The cities that bought red light cameras need to order an honest traffic engineering study for each problem location and listen the advice of true unbiased professionals who will most likely recommend that yellow light timing be increased.

More Automated Ticketing Contracts Terminated

Contract Terminated

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for beleaguered Redflex Traffic Systems after losing 3 contracts this week due to successful ballot initiatives, more bad news came this week when Upland, CA announced that they were terminating their contract with Redflex, as reported by Examiner.com.

Sgt Matthews of the Upland Police Dept. said they terminated the contract with Redflex and removed the cameras at the end of June. “They were not effective in our city. What matters to us is the effectiveness in the city of Upland.” The cameras were “ineffective in reducing collisions”, which was the point of the cams, he said.

A report prepared by the police chief mentioned frequently cited objections to automated ticketing machines in recommending termination of the contract:

• Cameras had “...little influence on the number of red light related collisions at monitored intersections. At times rear end collisions have actually increased.”
• The system tied up police resources that could be spent fighting real crime
• Illegal provisions in the contract.

In the end, the straw that likely broke the camel’s back was the fact that the city was losing money on the program.

Examiner.com also reports that neighboring city Montclair also decided to discontinue it’s program run by Nestor which was recently acquired by ATS.

Evidently, you can put a price on “photo safety.” Fortunately, few cities are willing to pay for it.

RED LIGHT: ATS Future Uncertain in Florida

James Tuton, ATS CEO (left), busted for lawbreaking thievery in this undated file photo.

…And they would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn’t for those meddling kids laws. Of course, Breaking the law while pretending to enforce it (for profit) is business as usual for American Traffic Solutions.

The headlines say it all. Miami Herald: “Legal challenges mount for Florida’s red-light cameras.” Daytona Beach News-Journal: “Red-light camera lawsuit looms.” Naples News: “[Suit claims] red-light cameras are unconstitutional.”

Jason Weisser, a West Palm Beach-based attorney, is filing a class action lawsuit in each of the 22 Florida municipalities that have recently installed red-light cameras or similar technology, claiming they are unconstitutional.

The officials getting sued seem to agree:

“Yeah, they have a legitimate claim,” County Attorney Jeff Klatzkow said. “I’m not saying they have a winning claim. Ultimately it will be up to a court to determine.”

Weisser says that counties and cities have no business passing laws about red-light running, which he says is the state’s responsibility. Collier County has installed 12 cameras since early April and has issued hundreds of $125 citations.

In Florida, local money-grubbing municipalities ignore state law to install automated ticketing machines— also known as deadly red light cameras— by sending out local “code violation” tickets. The article from Naples News continues:

The state does not allow red-light running cameras on state property, and the cameras used in cities and counties are not allowed to issue traffic citations. Instead, the municipalities that utilize the cameras mail out code violations to the owners of vehicles caught on camera running red lights.

As Shaggy would say:  “Zoinks, it’s the creepy coin collector again!” Except all that coin they’re collecting might have to be refunded as the tide continues to turn against photo radar, red light cameras, and city officials who choose to conspire with private corporations against their constituents.

Red-Light Cams About Money, Not Safety

From the Washington Times:

Accidents jumped 43 percent at intersections with traffic cameras the last time Alexandria operated red-light cameras, between 1998 and 2005. That’s according to data compiled by the Virginia Transportation Research Council, a joint venture between the Virginia Department of Transportation and the University of Virginia. Statewide, accidents serious enough to cause injuries increased 18 percent at red-light camera intersections.

Redflex, American Traffic Solutions, Gatsometer, ACS… your jig is up.