A notoriously pro traffic camera newspaper in Arizona has done a 180 and actually investigated Redflex Traffic Systems operation in the city of El Mirage.
Emails between the police department, Judge Mapp and Mayor Mook paint a Mayberry-like scenario of law enforcement in El Mirage. And it appears that the part of Barney Fife was mostly played by the town’s Judge, James Mapp.
Here are a few of our favorite lies listed in the article, with El Mirage spin:
Lie #1
“It was one of those things that we just didn’t realize how big of a problem it was and how many people it affected,” Mapp said. “It could just be that we get busy and we forget to follow through on things.” -Judge James Mapp
Lie #2
“The photo radar has never been, in my estimation, something that the city instituted to make money.” -Mayor Lana Mook
Lie #3
Mapp said Friday that he was unaware of any outstanding refunds for red-light tickets until he was contacted by The Republic. He said the remaining refunds are being researched and likely will be paid within the next few weeks.
After making the news, just as predicted by the police chief after learning of the AZ Repub’s public record request, the last part about refunds being issued within the next few weeks may end up being true.
We’ll follow this story to its conclusion. The clock is ticking for El Mirage. They’d better have those refunds out by early April, or they’ll have some more explaining to do.
Source: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/03/08/20120308el-mirage-traffic-cam-fines.html
Redflex Holds Albuquerque Hostage Over $13 Million in Unpaid Tickets
Source: http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/politics/city-hit-with-big-bill-from-redflex
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - The company that owned and operated Albuquerque’s red light cameras just hit the city with a bill for $4.5 million.
If you thought the controversy would die when the red light cameras were killed, think again.
”Redflex says their percentage of the outstanding amount comes to $4 million we’re looking at the accounting issues,” said Assistant City Attorney Greg Wheeler.
Earlier this month, the city received a demand letter from Redflex.
The letter said the city of Albuquerque owes the Phoenix-based red light camera company $4.5 million.
Redflex said that is it’s cut of the roughly $13 million in unpaid tickets from the past four years.
“Council is asking us to look at what their options are to deal with that claim and also to collect the past due fines,” Wheeler said.
Under the old contract, Redflex was responsible for collecting the red light camera fines.
However, that contract was terminated.
The city attorney’s office said it’s now up to the city council to decide how to go about collecting the outstanding fines.
“They could send these to outside collection agencies other than Redflex, they could consider having legal file lawsuits for some of the largest outstanding amounts in court,” said Wheeler.
The city said even though it has yet to work out exactly how it will collect on those unpaid red light camera tickets, it is required to go after them.
“As a matter of state law we can’t just let those people go, so there will be a collection effort, the problems not going to go away,” Wheeler said.
The city is disputing Redflex’s $4.5-million claim.
Saying among other things it is not realistic to expect everyone who has not paid up, to suddenly pay now.
If the city collects the $13 million in outstanding fines, it would split its cut 50-50 with the state.
People with unpaid tickets more than four years old are in the clear, because the statute of limitations on them has run out.
Photo Radar and Red Light Camera Ban Passes Arizona Senate Judiciary Committee
Arizonans have been wanting a vote on photo ticketing in overwhelming numbers since 2008. State legislature has another chance to send it to the voters in 2012. Will they honor their constituency?
Have you ever received a camera ticket in Arizona, even if you’re from out of state? Did you know that you don’t have to pay it?
The system is rife with flaws, controversy and outright fraud. Arizona voters hope 2012 is the year they finally put a stop to the system.
Arizona State Senators have requested to hear from both Arizona voters and tourists who have received camera tickets.
Contact them [here]
