Red Light Camera News Port Lavaca Red Light Camera Controversy
http://crossroadstoday.com/Port-Lavaca-Red-Light-Camera-Controversy/1129593
Port Lavaca Red Light Camera Controversy
Video: http://crossroadstoday.com/pages/11295931.php?collectionId=919&videoEpisodeId=34030
Residents of Port Lavaca continue to be blanketed in controversy over the issue of red light cameras. Residents are now enlisting the help of a Texas man who has beaten the system. The battle over the cameras has been ongoing for quite a while but now there have been recent developments regarding the issue.
The controversy stems partly from a few recent cases of people claiming that they are receiving tickets in the mail for going through a light that was green the entire duration of their transit through the intersection; there is video evidence to back these claims up. This has reinvigorated the fight for Port Lavaca residents Citizens against red light cameras.
Petition organizers have spent the past 2 years fighting the red light cameras in Port Lavaca, and now they are starting all over again after their first petition, which contained 1,500 signatures, never brought the issue to a vote.
"So I said we'll start another petition. City ordinance is what I'm hoping to have on the ballot, and all we need is 200 signatures new...Which is kind of backwards," said red light camera petition organizer Carl Baugh.
The City rejected the first petition that was aimed at making red light cameras illegal in Port Lavaca by City Charter. Now Baugh is doing whatever it takes to bring this issue to a vote.
"The city basically has no other wiggle room in this. Either ordinance petition should go before the people," commented Baugh
But in the mean time, Baugh says he is receiving complaints from people claiming they are receiving fraudulent tickets because of the cameras.
"The Police Officer said there was a violation when clearly you can see it was a green light the whole time. It could be a mistake, but they're hoping someone comes back in and corrects them. That's not the way it should be done," said Baugh.
One man from Baytown, Texas who successfully petitioned the City of Baytown to remove their red light cameras is helping citizens in Port Lavaca who are trying to correct the situation.
"Once I realized what a Statewide and National scam this was, I wanted to help other towns that want to get this out," said Baytown Resident Bryon Schirmbeck who is helping residents of Port Lavaca with this issue.
Schirmbeck requested, and was denied, information from the City of Port Lavaca and is now accusing them of violating the Open Records Act, Perjury, and a number of other grievances. Schirmbeck has also made a formal complaint against the City of Port Lavaca to the Calhoun County District Attorney.
"But I was pleased that I got a reply the next day. He is requesting information to investigate. If not, he probably would have ignored me if there was no reason to investigate," continued Schirmbeck.
Now the organizers and Schirmbeck are forced to play the waiting game, for the investigation, and for the collection of the signatures needed to bring this controversy before the people for a vote.
"They want to implement this first, get money, and then worry later. They know the time constraints…And every time I try to fight this they make me wait. It's always about pushing it down the road," said Baugh.
Calhoun County District Attorney Dan Heard has issued a statement to Newscenter 25 which explained that his office will contact the City of Port Lavaca to determine if investigation of the fraud claims is necessary. District Attorney Dan Heard also said that if people were cited by mistake, the City, and camera contractor Red Flex, will correct the situation.
For the residents of Port Lavaca interested in signing the petition they can go to either Colonial Arms Apartments or Action Lumber where the petition is on display for those interested in signing it.
Below is the statement sent to Newscenter 25 by the Calhoun County District Attorney Dan Heard.
-October 25, 2011
The statement below sent via fax to Newscenter 25 reporter Briana Conner on October 25, 2011. The statement, from Calhoun County Criminal District Attorney Dan Heard, addresses the issue of red light camera ticket fraud in Port Lavaca, Texas.
Criminal District Attorney
Calhoun County, Texas
Dan W. Heard
Criminal District Attorney
Dear Ms. Connor,
I’m sorry that I missed you when you came by the office. I have a note that you have the following questions regarding the ticket that was issued for running a red light that was apparently green.
Question: Your first question asks about the investigation into the details of issuing the ticket.
Answer: At this point this office has received an email letter from Mr. Bryon Schirmbeck with the Stop Baytown Red Light Cameras organization asking to file a complaint against the city of Port Lavaca for allegedly violating the Texas Public Information Act. Mr. Schirmbeck also asks that this office investigate a notice of violation issued on September 6, 2011 where the light was green rather than red. This office will contact the City of Port Lavaca to obtain its explanation and determine whether an investigation is warranted.
Question: Your other question asks how I will go about correcting the situation if after investigation it appears people were cited incorrectly.
Answer: In the event people were cited incorrectly, it should be the responsibility of the City and its contractor, Redflex, to correct the situation. The Criminal District Attorney’s Office will only be involved in the event that there is evidence of a violation of criminal law.
I hope this is of assistance to you,
Dan W. Heard
Criminal District Attorney
Calhoun County, Texas
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