‘Photo-Red’ Would Focus On Traffic Violators Council To Consider Using Cameras Aimed At Drivers Running Red Lights
The Spokane Police Department wants to hire a new team of crime fighters who never sleep, blink or crack a joke. They live in bulletproof boxes and will move to town next May if the city gives the nod.
They are cameras that will photograph anyone running a red light at select intersections around Spokane. The Spokane Public Safety Committee reviewed a draft contract for the cameras on Monday.
The cameras will be installed and maintained by U.S. Public Technologies of San Diego. The company will be paid a portion of the traffic fines collected with the help of its cameras. The City Council will consider the contract in November.
Working 24 hours a day, the cameras will photograph any car entering an intersection after a red light. The photo will show the car, its driver and license plate. The camera system, known as “photo-red” will also record the car’s speed and how long the light had been red.
The cameras provide “beautiful pictures,” police Lt. Glenn Winkey said.
If the contract is approved, beginning May 18, drivers running red lights at intersections equipped with the cameras will get warning citations. Citations with fines will be levied after June 18.
The fine for running a red light is $66. Each camera is expected to nail 210 light-runners per month. U.S. Public Technologies will get $35 of each ticket.
Four intersections will be wired for the cameras, but only two will contain the devices. Motorists won’t know which of the four intersections are being watched.
Also next year, police want to start using a “photo-radar” system to catch speeders in school and park zones. A camera in a van will photograph cars exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph or more. The photo will show the car’s license plate. Its speed and location will also be recorded. The photo-radar system needs an officer to operate it and will only run 160 hours per month.
The photo-radar system is part of the same U.S. Public Technologies contract the city will consider in November. If approved, police will start issuing warnings to speeders caught by the system March 6. Fines will kick in April 6.
The fine for going 11 mph over the speed limit is $95. At 16 mph over the limit, the fine is $133. U.S. Public Technologies will get $25 of each ticket.
The two systems are “not intended to be revenue producers, these are meant to increase safety,” Winkey said.
Use of the systems was delayed because the police couldn’t get access to state Department of Licensing records until mid-January. The DOL’s records match a car’s license to its registered owner and that person’s driver’s license.
Police will check the height, weight and hair color recorded on the driver’s license against the photo taken by the camera.
, DataTimes