Red light cameras to be installed in Sarasota County

[News Flash]

SARASOTA COUNTY - Red-light cameras will start going up at intersections countywide next year.

Cities and counties across the state have adopted red-light ordinances, including the city of Bradenton and Manatee County.

A traffic camera at Lockwood Ridge Road and 17th Street in Sarasota could cost a red light runner a $125 ticket.

The red-light program is expected to collect about $2.25 million annually when 10 cameras are installed at the county's most dangerous intersections.

Some commissioners were also concerned that the tickets would be viewed as a way to pad the county's budget at a time of declining property tax revenues, especially given that that the county is predicting $1 million more in revenues than expenses.

The enforcement issue also continued to bother some commissioners.

Not everyone owns property, so Thaxton questioned whether a lien was an equitable means of enforcement.

"It's just like any other debt owed to us," said assistant county attorney Karl Senkow. "If there's nothing to go after we're limited. You can't get blood from a rock."

Senkow noted that the county already issues liens – which would force a property owner to pay the red-light ticket debt before a property could be sold.

A test program showed the cameras capture about 180 violators a month.

The red-light tickets cannot add points to a driver's license or result in a license suspension because there is no statewide law.

Sarasota County will now search for a private company to run the program, which is expected to also add five additional county employees in law enforcement.

Source

[quote=News Flash]

SARASOTA COUNTY - Red-light cameras will start going up at intersections countywide next year.

Cities and counties across the state have adopted red-light ordinances, including the city of Bradenton and Manatee County.

A traffic camera at Lockwood Ridge Road and 17th Street in Sarasota could cost a red light runner a $125 ticket.

The red-light program is expected to collect about $2.25 million annually when 10 cameras are installed at the county's most dangerous intersections.

Some commissioners were also concerned that the tickets would be viewed as a way to pad the county's budget at a time of declining property tax revenues, especially given that that the county is predicting $1 million more in revenues than expenses.

The enforcement issue also continued to bother some commissioners.

Not everyone owns property, so Thaxton questioned whether a lien was an equitable means of enforcement.

"It's just like any other debt owed to us," said assistant county attorney Karl Senkow. "If there's nothing to go after we're limited. You can't get blood from a rock."

Senkow noted that the county already issues liens – which would force a property owner to pay the red-light ticket debt before a property could be sold.

A test program showed the cameras capture about 180 violators a month.

The red-light tickets cannot add points to a driver's license or result in a license suspension because there is no statewide law.

Sarasota County will now search for a private company to run the program, which is expected to also add five additional county employees in law enforcement.

Source[/quote:2x14g2ty]
Heres a better idea to capture the fines....if they dont pay attach the tag and do not allow it to be renewed until the fine is paid. This way the county will get the monies sooner and more likely to punish the owner of the car. We all know the law suits that will arise when someones property is attached 10-15 years down the road they try to sell and they can prove they were not driving.

Excellent idea. Finally the county is finally fiquring out ways to make money other than raise taxes. Now lets put in parking meters at the beaches and that will be anohter avenue. Miami,Ft Myers and I am sure more but what a great idea. Its about time. what about those darn false alarms that we waste time on also?

Think about this. So you get a summons that your vehicle ran a red light. You demand a hearing. Who is your accuser? Doesn't the Constitution include being able to face our accusers and have the right to cross examine. What about an error in reading the plate? With all of the specialty plates in the country, how do you know that the person reviewing the photo had the right tag in the right state? Outsourcing for a company to run the program..........what about giving the job to qualified law enforcement officers who are not physically able to be on the road? Red light violations are serious but so is running a stop sign. Is that the next thing for a camera? What about flicking cigarettes out of a car window? How many fires have been started that way along the interstate? Cameras on every mile post. Why not get NASA to put a big camera right over Sarasota County so big brother can watch everyone all of the time.

Red light cameras.....just a thing to generate revenue. As Forest Gump says, "And that's all I have to say about that."

It shouldn't be about the fiscal aspect of installing the cameras. It should be and has been motivated by the safety of our citizens of the County. Red Light Running has become a norm rather then a serious violation of state stautes.
I lost a very close friend to a red light runner. Husband of for one year, soon to be father of a beautiful, precious daughter whom he will never meet. It could have been you, your wife, child or mother. Law Enforcement is stretched way too thin to be able to proactively monitor these dangerous intersections and deter violators. Even if this is a break even situation, if it saves one life, deters one violator, then it is all the worthwhile! It could possibly affect you and your loved ones someday.........

It shouldn't be about the fiscal aspect of installing the cameras. It should be and has been motivated by the safety of our citizens of the County. Red Light Running has become a norm rather then a serious violation of state stautes.
I lost a very close friend to a red light runner. Husband of for one year, soon to be father of a beautiful, precious daughter whom he will never meet. It could have been you, your wife, child or mother. Law Enforcement is stretched way too thin to be able to proactively monitor these dangerous intersections and deter violators. Even if this is a break even situation, if it saves one life, deters one violator, then it is all the worthwhile! It could possibly affect you and your loved ones someday.........

Law Enforcement is stretched way too thin to be able to proactively monitor these dangerous intersections and deter violators.
....This is some what true, but the deputies in this county dont like to write citations, except the traffic unit. Some patrol units will take the time but most complete a shift without any. You cant tell me that in 12 hours they cant find a few violations???? Some are just not willing to issue citations, as in the past years. I remember working with the old traffic unit on special enforcement projects including red lights under the old retired traffic sgt. Come on guys use your imagination and recreate some of the old ways and stroke a few. As she said one day it could be a loved one of yours!!!!

It shouldn't be about the fiscal aspect of installing the cameras. It should be and has been motivated by the safety of our citizens of the County. Red Light Running has become a norm rather then a serious violation of state stautes.
I lost a very close friend to a red light runner. Husband of for one year, soon to be father of a beautiful, precious daughter whom he will never meet. It could have been you, your wife, child or mother. Law Enforcement is stretched way too thin to be able to proactively monitor these dangerous intersections and deter violators. Even if this is a break even situation, if it saves one life, deters one violator, then it is all the worthwhile! It could possibly affect you and your loved ones someday.........

It does having everything to do with fiscal intake with the drop in home sales and the increase in forclosesures. That is in the eyes of county gov. LEO's see it as an enforcement tool, don't be so blind as to think that county officials see at as that.
If you do then you have no idea at all as to why it is being installed.

Besides there are ways of getting around the cameras as well.
http://www.phantomplate.com/tech.html
[url]http://www.photoblocker.com/[url]
http://www.thegreenhead.com/2006/04/...-red-light.php
http://mobilitysite.com/2008/07/red-...ction-for-you/
http://www.free-press-release.com/ne...120187286.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWXI6...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_e2B...eature=related

Oh and for those who say that many agencies say that these type of products don't work then why in hell are many states banning the sale, and use of such coatings?
http://cameracops.blogspot.com/2005/...ic-camera.html
Plus how in the hell can anyone tell if you are using such a spray application?

Plus there are low tech and low price evasive tools as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQSDL...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tNhh...eature=related

That is the trouble you get when elected officials look at a system as a money generating system, with out looking at the negative sides of it.
Who is more likely to benifit from such a system if the negative sides are not given?
You can bet you rear that the sellers of the camera system will never tell you of such steath systems when they pitch there sales of the red light system.

And if there is any don't that there is no mistakes with out any kind of use of stealthy products, well then you as an LEO are just as gullable as the elected officials.

Remeber when there was no training or certification were required for radar in Florida and any other kind of speed detection device prior to the 80's? The idea was always assumed that machines can not make mistakes?
Later it was shown not only did they make mistakes but those operating such systems also made mistakes in reading, and the use of such equipment.
Not to mention the creation of detection of such equipment by the use of such speed detectors.
Like that system, the red light camera systems will also be called in to question in court and ways of avoiding such dections will and are in use today.

I'll tell you why were not writing UTC's and I feel I'm speaking for most of "patrol." The fines are way too high for this current economy and gas crisis. With the increase in fines and the decrease in the number of UTC's being written, it is not generating any more $$ for the clerk, county or state. I'll bet the revenue is lower than it has ever been.
You lower the cost of the fines and you will se us writing more which will intern generate more revenue. It's simple math and numbers.

I hate red light runners and I have no problem issueing no matter the cost of that fine. But the other fines our crazy. the fix it ticket for example.

Common sense..

Please do the County a favor and turn in your badge if that is your attitude. We pay you to protect us and you look the other way, more people are killed in Sarasota County in car crashes that any other way. If people obey the law they would not get a ticket and you looking the other way thinking you are doing any one a favor by not writing a ticket makes you a criminal. Keep in mind your oath to protect, and keep in mind the phrase "failure to act" you sicken me.