Red Light Camera News Port Richey Police Chief "forgets" about FLORIDA SUNSHINE LAW! Claims RLC Contract "confidential"
Ban the Cams note: I find it funny that the scamera side uses the "if you have nothing to hide, than you should have nothing to fear" BS argument YET THE POLICE CHIEF OF PORT RICHEY CLEARLY WANTS TO HIDE A RLC CONTRACT FEE!
As a post I left on the St. Pete Times (I DON'T hide who I am unlike ATS Front Groups do), I WONDER IF THE CHIEF EVER HEARD OF THE SUNSHINE LAW!
Police chief says Port Richey's budget for red-light cameras is confidential
By Drew Harwell, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, September 1, 2010
PORT RICHEY — The question seemed simple enough: How much will the city pay per camera each month to the company that provides red light cameras?
Council members asked Police Chief Dave Brown.
That's confidential, he answered during Monday night's meeting, pointing out that the contract with American Traffic Solutions, an Arizona company, forbids discussing it.
"We entered into this contract," council member Terry Rowe said, "yet we can't talk about it?"
City officials, according to budget estimates, expect to issue about 9,600 camera citations next year, totaling $1.5 million in fines. A large chunk must be paid to the state and ATS. Knowing the exact amount would help city leaders with their budget.
(Ban the Cams, SO MUCH FOR SAFETY, IT REALLY IS ONLY ABOUT MONEY, but you know that already don't ya!)
"I don't believe there is anything such as confidential when it comes to city finances," council member Bill Colombo said Tuesday. "That's the first time I've heard anything like that."
"I don't personally think it's appropriate," Mayor Richard Rober said Tuesday. "It's a matter of transparency. … If my little city's cutting a check to somebody and someone wants to know why, I have to be able to explain it."
While the chief viewed the number as confidential, the information was easily found in the city's budget estimates. Records show $796,800 will go to the state and $228,000 will go to ATS over the next year. Divide the company estimate by 12 months and then again by four, which is the number of cameras the city figures to have installed. That equals $4,750 per camera a month — the answer to the council's question.
Company spokeswoman Kate Coulson on Tuesday confirmed the cost, which she said covers equipment, maintenance and processing. She said it is public record.
The city estimates it will reap $492,000 after the state and the company get their cut.
Two cameras at U.S. 19 and Ridge Road monitor traffic running north and south. The city hopes to install two more at U.S. 19 and Grand Boulevard after the state Department of Transportation reviews permits by November.
The city sent nearly 1,300 notices of violation in July, more than double their figures from June, police Lt. Don Young said. About half the alleged violators paid their $158 fines, $75 of which stays with the city.
The notices of violation — sent by certified mail, with color photos of the infraction — become full-blown traffic tickets after 30 days of nonpayment. Those tickets bring added county court costs and fees that send them up to $262. If left unpaid, violators can have their licenses suspended.
(Ban the Cams note: I hope the paper DOES A FOIA act on the Chief. I wonder will the Chief claim "national security" in denying it??????)
Contact Drew Harwell at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or (727) 869-6244.
Subscribe to this comment's feedwritten by Jack Schitts , December 28, 2010
"No good long term comes from making law enforcement about MONEY! Law enforcement is a public service, NOT a BUSINESS.
The problem with photo enforcement has been and will continue to be the fact that not only does it increase accidents long term (as numerous studies have shown), but that it degenerates into a game of how many violations they can churn.
The only long term solution is to ban the cams and return law enforcement to REAL LIVE OFFICERS who can pull over DANGEOURS drivers, not send a bill in the mail to everyone for every technical mistake.
Please be honest, do you work for a scamera company. Enquiring minds would like to know."
written by Pat Leavitt , December 28, 2010
I think the city of port richey should add more cameras at inter sections and a few in between for speeders. Fire Brown and the whole police department, hire a ten dollar an hour clerk to collect the money.
They could sell all thier cars , rent the office space and make even more money.
written by whats next big brother , September 10, 2010
why not install monitors on our vehicles to report to the port richey police chief every time we go one mile over the speed limit. make checks payable to MR. BROWN bleed em dry program
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