HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 04 11 Informational 102 Review and Update of Redlight Camera
COMMISSION AGENDA
CONSENT __
INFORMATIONAL X
ITEM 102
PUBLIC HEARING
REGULAR
April 11, 2011_MGR /DEPT
Meeting Authorization
REQUEST The Police Department wishes to provide the City Commission with a
:
review and update of the Red Light Camera program.
________________________________________________________________________
SYNOPSIS To inform the City Commission with updated information on the Red Light
:
camera program since becoming a state law on July 1, 2010.
CONSIDERATIONS At the August 9, 2010 regular City Commission meeting the City
:
approved to enter into month to month contract with ATS that provided the City a
comprehensive and fully integrated red light traffic safety management services
including collections of fines, training, public safety announcements, easements,
maintenance, operation and equipment
The Police Department and other jurisdictions using cameras almost immediately
noticed that after the passage of state law the infractions decreased. However, with that
decrease we still issue over 100 violations a month from the cameras. The number of
right turns continues to be a high number of captured violations and the state allows for
a careful and prudent turning movement within the statute. While the term careful and
prudent is vague by definition it must be performed in a safe manner. This definition
while applied differently throughout the state only applies to the use of a red light
camera and not to the actual infraction if issued by a patrol officer.
As you know we have been very conservative in this type of violation. When drivers
approaching the intersection on a red light that have not exhibited a good faith effort to
either stop or slow down before the intersection is not careful and prudent and citations
are issued to those violators. The citations that are appealed are heard in county traffic
court the same as any other citation and currently 148 are awaiting a hearing. Thus far
15 cases have been heard and all but 1case was found in favor of the city.
Additionally, the cameras have become two fold in their use. The department has also
found that they can produce video captures for various investigations that we conduct.
Film footage has been used looking for stolen vehicles, burglary suspects, and traffic
crashes. Many times when officers work traffic crashes they are not witnessed by the
officer and receive different views from the drivers on what had transpired. By using the
cameras when available the officers can review the crash and view a real time
evaluation of what had actually occurred. In light of the success we have had staff is
working with ATS in exploring other intersections that may have a high number of
violations and possibilities of additional cameras.
The current camera approaches we are working on are listed below;
SR 434 @ Tuscawilla East and West Bound
SR 434 @ Vista Willa West Bound
SR 434 @ Parkstone West Bound
SR 434 @ Heritage Park East and West Bound
SR 434 @ Hayes Rd East and West Bound
SR 434 @ SR 419 East and West Bound
SR 434 @ Edgemon East and West Bound
SR 419 @ Edgemon North and South Bound
The department is following the current legislation session on SB 672/HB 4087 that is
in the committees to repeal the use of red light cameras. We will continue to monitor
this bill and its effects as it relates to the city program for July 1, 2011.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item.
COMMUNICATION EFFORTS: No communication efforts beyond the advertising of
the Commission agenda are necessary in conjunction with this agenda item. The
Commission Agenda has been posted on the bulletin board outside City Hall, on the
City’s electronic sign; the agenda is electronically posted according to the City Clerk’s
procedure.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Commission is being asked to review and accept the
information in this agenda item.
ATTACHMENTS:
None