I have been getting a lot of support and favorable reaction since calling for the reform or elimination of the “red light camera” tickets at the Chamber of Commerce Candidates’ Forum.
Last night when I brought up the issue to the City Council, I said there is a lot of conflicting information about what happens to the revenue collected by “red light camera” tickets.
Mayor Andy Weissman asked the City Manager, Mark Scott, to come up with data for the next Council meeting.
This is what I know. The city of Culver City Revenue Report, dated September 2009, page 34, Items 3-4, states:
3. Court Fines, General. No. 1 — Parking tickets (violator pays to Turbo Data. Police Dept. receives approximately 50 percent ticket from Turbo Data).
No. 2 — Parking bail for unpaid tickets (receive monthly check in arrears from the state of California. They determine the revenue amount).
4. Vehicle Code Fines — Photo Enforcement and other moving citations. Violator pays ticket. City receives approximately 50 percent.
On a chart from page 33 from the same report, the Police Dept. received $2,800,000 from Vehicle Code Fines. If this is 50 percent of the money received, then the amount ticketed to hapless motorists would be $5,600,000 —for Vehicle Code fines alone.
It Adds up to a Stupid Move
I would argue that paying 50 percent of your revenue for collections is stupid. What kind of negotiation is giving up 50 percent of revenue for collection?
Now wait.
I was basing my figures on what the City Report said.
However, people I have been talking to at my “Coffee Chats with Mr. Z” on Sundays at the Starbucks in front of City Hall have given me conflicting information.
I have been told that the money supposedly collected from red light photo enforcement has been co-mingled with the General Vehicle Code fines to hide the fact that the city has not been making any money from the red light photo speed traps.
A Million Here, a Million There
In addition, Redflex, the company that installs and operates the red light cameras, is paid by the city $1 million to $1.5 million each year for this service.
Greg Smith, a retired police lieutenant, corroborates what I have been told. He has stated in an article in this newspaper:
“What the citizens of Culver City do not realize is that their red light cameras were some of the first in the state.
“When this proposition was presented to the previous City Councils, it was pitched as a great source of revenue. As a member of the community, you would think, hey! We can use the extra revenue to fund the parks or hire more police and fire personnel.
“Well, they put one over on you there.
“You see, they did not explain to you who benefits from these ticket revenues of approximately $2.8 million each year for the past eight years.
“First, the state of California and the Los Angeles County courts take between $700,000 and $800,000 each year, approximately 30 percent. Next, the company that installs and operates the red light cameras is paid by the city $1 million to $1.5 million each year for this service.
“The city then pays between $400,000 and $500,000 a year in personnel costs to run the program.”
The result is that the red light camera program fleeces drivers, generates revenue for bureaucrats and fat cats, and leaves nothing for the citizens of Culver City.
I have been told that Redflex has hired former city employees and retired police officers. I don't know if that is true. But it sure smells like corruption to me.
I welcome an open, transparent investigation of these red light cameras by the City Manager.
Mr. Zirgulis, a candidate for the City Council in the April 13 election, may be contacted at zirgulisr@yahoo.com
