City moving on camera plan
By Lynn Zerschling | Posted: Thursday, October 02, 2008
A red-light camera at an intersection in Davenport. Cameras such as these one were behind a Supreme Court challenge. (Photo by the Quad City Times)
SIOUX CITY -- One of Audrey Mook's first clues that her late husband, Ken, was developing Alzheimer's disease was when he started running red lights.
Perhaps she would have known something was wrong and taken the keys away sooner if he'd been captured on camera and video failing to stop for a red light.
So, Mook, 80, approves of Sioux City's plan to install cameras at busy intersections. ""I think they'd be a good idea," the retired telephone company supervisor said.
Reed Gibson, 23, a restaurant manager, agrees. He said he likes the idea of cameras "to stop people from running red lights who cause accidents."
The City Council placed plans to install a red-light camera enforcement system on hold in 2006 due to court challenges, but now the project has resurfaced.
On Aug. 29, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that traffic cameras are legal. The decision "cemented each city's right to home rule and generally upheld a city's right to adopt ordinances which provide for red-light cameras," City Attorney Andrew Mai said.
Mai said he has talked to officials with Redflex Traffic Systems of Phoenix, the company with which the council signed a contract to operate the camera enforcement system.
"We've been discussing a review of the locations for the cameras. Some of them may need to be changed," he said. "We're looking at some additional paperwork related to their contract. We're going to review our ordinance one more time to make sure there aren't any changes necessary, given that time has elapsed."
He anticipates taking the issue to the council in late October. Meanwhile, Redflex officials are ready to proceed.
"All terms and conditions set forth in the agreement are what they are and have not changed," Shoba Vaitheeswaren, Redflex communications director, said.
The fine for running a red light will be $96.20, Mai said.
Ticket revenue will go to the city. The goal, police and city leaders emphasized, is not to create a new revenue stream for city coffers. City Councilman Jim Rixner said the ticket money should be earmarked for the police department to hire more officers.
Rixner said he has to hit his brakes at city intersections to avoid hitting other motorists who dart through red lights. "It happens to me at Fifth and Nebraska, Pierce and Gordon Drive and the Lakeport/Morningside Avenue intersections," he said.
Mayor Mike Hobart, a former prosecutor, said the cameras are a public safety measure. "I see people running red lights all the time. It's really kind of scary."
Bill Himes, a member of the city's Effective Public Policy Committee, said the committee recommended adoption of the traffic enforcement system and addressed a number of issues. A major concern centers on sending the ticket to the vehicle's registered owner -- not the driver.
"We feel you're responsible for your vehicle and therefore, you should know who's driving it," Himes said.
Police Chief Joe Frisbie pointed out the vehicle owner will receive a civil violation, similar to a parking ticket. He contended the red-light tickets will have another impact.
"It tells the employers they have employees (driving company cars and trucks) who are not driving right. Chances are it could cost the owner big time. If you're a parent and your child is speeding through red lights, they then can deal with the situation at home," Frisbie said. "When people know the cameras are out there, they're going to start stopping at those signals. There doesn't need to be an officer around."
Intersection cameras
As many as 25 intersections would be fitted with red-light cameras in Sioux City. So far, authorities have tentatively identified eight:
-- Interstate 29 and Singing Hills Boulevard, for eastbound traffic.
-- Gordon Drive and South Palmetto Street, westbound.
-- Outer Drive and Cheyenne Boulevard, westbound and southbound.
-- U.S. Highway 75 and Sixth Street, southbound.
-- South Lakeport Street and Sergeant Road: northbound, eastbound and westbound.
-- Gordon Drive and Fairmount Street, westbound.
-- Gordon Drive and Pierce Street, southbound.
-- Fifth and Court streets, eastbound.
Perhaps she would have known something was wrong and taken the keys away sooner if he'd been captured on camera and video failing to stop for a red light.
So, Mook, 80, approves of Sioux City's plan to install cameras at busy intersections. ""I think they'd be a good idea," the retired telephone company supervisor said.
Reed Gibson, 23, a restaurant manager, agrees. He said he likes the idea of cameras "to stop people from running red lights who cause accidents."
The City Council placed plans to install a red-light camera enforcement system on hold in 2006 due to court challenges, but now the project has resurfaced.
On Aug. 29, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that traffic cameras are legal. The decision "cemented each city's right to home rule and generally upheld a city's right to adopt ordinances which provide for red-light cameras," City Attorney Andrew Mai said.
Mai said he has talked to officials with Redflex Traffic Systems of Phoenix, the company with which the council signed a contract to operate the camera enforcement system.
"We've been discussing a review of the locations for the cameras. Some of them may need to be changed," he said. "We're looking at some additional paperwork related to their contract. We're going to review our ordinance one more time to make sure there aren't any changes necessary, given that time has elapsed."
He anticipates taking the issue to the council in late October. Meanwhile, Redflex officials are ready to proceed.
"All terms and conditions set forth in the agreement are what they are and have not changed," Shoba Vaitheeswaren, Redflex communications director, said.
The fine for running a red light will be $96.20, Mai said.
Ticket revenue will go to the city. The goal, police and city leaders emphasized, is not to create a new revenue stream for city coffers. City Councilman Jim Rixner said the ticket money should be earmarked for the police department to hire more officers.
Rixner said he has to hit his brakes at city intersections to avoid hitting other motorists who dart through red lights. "It happens to me at Fifth and Nebraska, Pierce and Gordon Drive and the Lakeport/Morningside Avenue intersections," he said.
Mayor Mike Hobart, a former prosecutor, said the cameras are a public safety measure. "I see people running red lights all the time. It's really kind of scary."
Bill Himes, a member of the city's Effective Public Policy Committee, said the committee recommended adoption of the traffic enforcement system and addressed a number of issues. A major concern centers on sending the ticket to the vehicle's registered owner -- not the driver.
"We feel you're responsible for your vehicle and therefore, you should know who's driving it," Himes said.
Police Chief Joe Frisbie pointed out the vehicle owner will receive a civil violation, similar to a parking ticket. He contended the red-light tickets will have another impact.
"It tells the employers they have employees (driving company cars and trucks) who are not driving right. Chances are it could cost the owner big time. If you're a parent and your child is speeding through red lights, they then can deal with the situation at home," Frisbie said. "When people know the cameras are out there, they're going to start stopping at those signals. There doesn't need to be an officer around."
Intersection cameras
As many as 25 intersections would be fitted with red-light cameras in Sioux City. So far, authorities have tentatively identified eight:
-- Interstate 29 and Singing Hills Boulevard, for eastbound traffic.
-- Gordon Drive and South Palmetto Street, westbound.
-- Outer Drive and Cheyenne Boulevard, westbound and southbound.
-- U.S. Highway 75 and Sixth Street, southbound.
-- South Lakeport Street and Sergeant Road: northbound, eastbound and westbound.
-- Gordon Drive and Fairmount Street, westbound.
-- Gordon Drive and Pierce Street, southbound.
-- Fifth and Court streets, eastbound.
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coby wrote on Oct 6, 2008 11:58 AM:
I live on a busy intersection with a 4way stop. I have a perfect second story view and on a daily basis I can record at least a couple cars not come to a complete stop and half a dozen drivers without seat belts.
Where do I send in this footage and what percentage of their fine do I get for finders fee?
The reason I ask is because this seems like this is a rather lucrative deal for some people in the city (councilmembers?) and for redflex. I want to exploit lawbreakers for a profit too! "
X-SSC wrote on Oct 4, 2008 11:59 PM:
lfg wrote on Oct 4, 2008 10:38 AM:
Yeah Right wrote on Oct 2, 2008 10:07 PM:
ok wrote on Oct 2, 2008 10:06 PM: