Cities in Lake County are being approached about installing red light cameras like those in Orlando.
Here is an instance where another Florida city tried them, and the City Council decided the main feature of the cameras was excess revenue generation for the State and City, and they did NOT renew their provider agreement, essentially turning off their red light cameras. It is interesting to note that the fine for a red light camera offense is $158, and $83 goes to the State, then the vendor keeps about 25%, or $37.50 and the city keeps...
the remaining $37.50. One Councilman said that the city was already starting to be dependent on the income, which was becoming the motivating factor, not increasing safety.
So, when your local City Council gets approached by that well connected local Lake County attorney who represents the vendor, go speak at the meeting if you don't want to become another revenue source and over react each time you see a red light camera.
PS: My local audio installer, who installs high end sound systems in houses, tells me that the parts and systems for red light cameras are all off the shelf items he could assemble for a locally built system, but national vendors hire local attorneys to lobby cities to buy their systems that instead of letting the local city keep more revenue, siphon off 25% of the revenue to the vendor. So, if your city actually decides to get red light cameras, push them for an open competitive bidding to let a local guy provide the system at lower cost and where the vendor is LOCAL (building another industry in Lake County). There may be some hiccups in developing a system, but why pay $37.50 of every ticket to an out of state vendor?
vj
Lights out for red light cameras?
Tickets suspended after July 1 as city council mulls future of intersection enforcement
Published: June 21, 2010
BROOKSVILLE - Motorists won't need to pay camera flashes any mind at city intersections after July 1 following council members' vote that will result in the suspension of red light camera enforcement.
During Monday's public meeting, council members voted 4-0 not to approve an agreement with red light camera vendor ATS, meaning the current contract with the vendor will expire after June 30. Council member Joe Johnston III was absent.
Without a vendor, Brooksville Police Chief George Turner said red light cameras will be suspended, at least until city council members take action on the matter.
The next scheduled council meeting isn't until Monday, July 19.
During the meeting, council members rehashed arguments concerning the merits of red light cameras during what was supposed to be a second reading on previously approved changes to the ordinance.
Instead, Vice Mayor Richard Lewis announced he would like to "pull the plug" on red light cameras because he said the intent behind them is no longer to protect motorists and pedestrians, but to generate money for the city.
"I will admit, people have changed their driving habits since these cameras have been implemented," Lewis said. "But I feel like now it's more about generating revenue and that we've already become reliant on them."
Council member Joe Bernardini agreed and added he doesn't like that the tickets go toward the vehicle owner and not the vehicle's driver.
Things then became heated between Lewis and Mayor Lara Bradburn, who argued that since the cameras have been installed, motorists are more mindful of their driving habits and that there has been a reduction in traffic accidents.
Bradburn was also adamant that her intent all along has been about public safety and not generating revenue.
In the end, council members agreed to approve the second reading of the changes to bring the city in compliance with the new state law that goes into effect July 1. However, they then unanimously voted not to approve the ATS contract, which suspends the use of the lights after June 30.
Turner said the agreement with ATS would have essentially split the city's take from each $158 ticket after the state's $83 cut — or essentially a $37.50 split of the remaining $75.
Lewis announced his intention early on in the discussion not to approve the contract — primarily based on the contract agreement coming to the council so late in the month.
Meanwhile, Turner has his homework cut out for him as council members seek more traffic data to prove whether red light cameras truly reduce intersection crashes.
"I want to see some figures to convince Joe and me," Lewis said. "Nothing is set in stone. You can still change my mind."
Reporter Jeff Schmucker can be reached at 352-544-5271 or [email protected].
