Council worried about costs, legal challenges
By Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel

4:31 p.m. EDT, July 28, 2011
DAVIE—

 

Red-light cameras in Davie? Not so fast.

The town has a three-year contract with American Traffic Solutions Inc. to install 16 cameras at busy intersections. Red-light runners caught by the cameras were to receive $158 fines starting Aug. 20.

But on Wednesday, town leaders said they wanted out of the contract, citing fears about legal challenges and the costs of running the program.

Davie is not alone in questioning the wisdom of using the cameras to catch red-light runners.

Officials in Pembroke Pines and Fort Lauderdale are also considering ending their programs. Officials in both cities are frustrated the cameras have come with unexpected legal and court costs. In Delray Beach, officials have decided to hold off on the cameras until the legal challenges are settled.

With Councilman Bryan Caletka urging the council to "stop the ludicrousy" and rescind the contract, Mayor Judy Paul requested the matter be placed on the Aug. 3 agenda for a formal vote.

Under the contract, Davie had agreed to pay the Kansas-based company $76,000 a month for the cameras.

Town Administrator Rick Lemack said that cost did not include attorneys' fees and overtime for police officers and other staffers needed to oversee the program.

"This is a horrible deal for the town and its residents," Councilman Marlon Luis said. "This is a contract set up for ATS to get rich on the backs of our citizens. We're fleecing our people. It smells to high heaven."

In addition to Davie, American Traffic Solutions has contracts with six other cities in Broward County for red-light cameras: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Pembroke Pines, Sunrise and Margate. In Palm Beach County, ATS has contracts with Boynton Beach, Juno Beach, Palm Springs and West Palm Beach.

During Davie's meeting Wednesday, company spokesman Michael McAllister told council members the cameras do save lives. He also assured them that fewer tickets are being dismissed as judges become more familiar with the law.

Councilwoman Caryl Hattan said she wanted town staff to research how much it might cost the town to defend itself in a lawsuit.

Town Attorney John Rayson had a quick answer: "It would be less than one month's payment to ATS, I can tell you that."

When questioned by the Sun Sentinel, McAllister declined to say whether the company would sue Davie if it tried to get out of the contract.

On Thursday, ATS spokesman Charles Territo said the same Davie officials who initially opposed the program are opposing it now.

"Before they were arguing the cameras were all about generating revenue," Territo said Thursday. "Now they're arguing they don't generate enough. Ultimately, these cameras are about reducing violations, reducing collisions, reducing injuries and saving lives."

One red-light camera at a Davie intersection found 45 violations in one day, Territo said."There is no question that Davie has a red-light running problem. And these cameras can help."

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