The Freedom Minute

CBS2 Reports on MRCA Stop Sign Camera Scam

David Goldstein of CBS2 in Los Angeles reports on the latest in the MRCA stop sign camera scam. Look for my comments about 3 minutes in.

July 22nd, 2011 Posted by freedomminute | Motorists Issues | no comments

Los Angeles Police Board Votes to End Red Light Camera Program

After a year of effort by us, on Tuesday June 7th, the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 to end the city’s Photo Red-Light Program. This was a courageous vote by a board with diverse backgrounds, all dedicated and very competent people who spent a lot of time studying this issue. After carefully considering the issue for many months, the Board determined that the claims of improved safety at red-light camera intersections could not be proven to their satisfaction. Also of concern to the Commission members was the fact that two of the three potential vendors for a new contract are headquartered in Arizona. Last year, after Arizona passed SB1070 targeting illegal immigrants, the LA City Council voted to impose a boycott forbidding Los Angeles from entering into contracts with business headquartered in the state. Additionally, under the proposed contract, the City would have lost at least $1.5 million each year of the program.

Unless the City Council votes to assert its jurisdiction over the issue by June 17th, the Board’s decision will become final. The Council would need 10 of 15 members to support the rarely invoked procedural rule. Doing so would put the Council in the unenviable position of overriding a unanimous vote of the civilian Commission, backtracking on their support of their own Arizona Boycott, and potentially obligating the city to a contract costing millions of dollars during a time of severe budget cuts, and further outraging a public already feeling abused by the excesses of government. Furthermore, even if the Council were to take back the issue, they cannot completely overrule the Board, but simply send the matter to the Police Board for reconsideration. Considering the comments made by Board members during their debate and their unanimous vote, it is highly unlikely they would decide the matter differently on reconsideration.

Unfortunately, the camera company that would have gotten the $15 million payout of taxpayer dollars, American Traffic Solutions (ATS), has been hard at work through their lobbyists trying to get the Council to do their corporate bidding. If they are successful, it would only prove that the cynicism the public has of government is justified.

For more information, visit the website of our grassroots organization dedicated to this issue: Safer Streets L.A.

Watch my interview on NBC4 LA

July 22nd, 2011 Posted by freedomminute | Motorists Issues | no comments

Anaheim Votes to Ban Red Light Cameras

In a continuation of the national trend against the use of photo enforcement to pick the pockets of the nation’s motorists, voters in the city of Anaheim voted overwhelmingly today in favor of Proposition K which amends the city charter to ban the use of red light cameras within the city’s limits.  As has occurred each and every time the question of photo enforcement has been put before the voters, citizens solidly rejected the use of this insidious traffic enforcement scheme which wastes billions of dollars without improving public safety.  At the time of this posting, the measure to ban the cameras was being approved by 73% of voters.

In other red-light camera news, voters in Houston and Baytown, TX opted to end those cities’ red light camera programs as well.  The results of today’s elections should finally put the lie to the camera industry’s phony pronouncements that the public supports the use of red light cameras.  If this is support, I’d hate to see what opposition looks like.

For those of you who are interested, here’s the text of the Anaheim ballot measure:

Measure K: That new Section 1213 be, and the same is hereby, added to the Charter of the City of Anaheim to read as follows:

Section 1213. PROHIBITION OF AUTOMATED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS (RED LIGHT CAMERAS).

No ordinance shall be adopted by the City Council which would permit or authorize any red light camera or other automated traffic enforcement system in the City of Anaheim. Any ordinance adopted by the City Council in violation of this section shall be null and void.

Neither the City Council, nor any officer or employee of the City when acting in his or her official capacity, shall (i) take any action which would directly or indirectly result in the authorization, approval or installation of any red light camera or other automated traffic enforcement system in the City of Anaheim; or (ii) acquiesce or concur in any action or decision of any other governmental agency or governmental official having jurisdiction concerning such red light cameras where a protest or objection procedure is available to the City and where failure to so protest or object could result in the authorization, approval, or installation of any red light camera or other automated traffic enforcement system in the City of Anaheim; or (iii) approve, authorize, execute or enter into any agreement or understanding, or take any other action of any nature whatsoever, which would authorize, approve, or in any way facilitate or result in the installation of any red light camera or other automated traffic enforcement system in the City of Anaheim, including, but not limited to, any agreement or understanding relating to the installation of any red light camera or automated traffic enforcement system which would result in the receipt by the City of any revenue of any kind from such cameras or automated system.

The term “red light camera or other automated traffic enforcement system” as used in this section shall mean and include any automated traffic enforcement system, as that term is used in California Vehicle Code Section 21455.5, or any successor legislation thereto, which is used to enforce any provision of the California Vehicle Code.

July 22nd, 2011 Posted by freedomminute | Motorists Issues | no comments