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Red Light Camera Company Bows Out

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By RICH SHOPES

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 6, 2008

PORT RICHEY - The company that installed the region's first cameras to catch motorists running red lights will end its contract with the city early.

Port Richey officials say they're generally pleased with the cameras at U.S. 19 and Ridge Road and wanted the system expanded to two other problem intersections.

But American Traffic Solutions, the company hired to operate the cameras, said it could not get permission from the state or private property owners to install cameras at the other intersections, U.S. 19 and Grand Boulevard and Ridge Road, and Leo Kidd Avenue.

As a result, the company will end its five-year contract early, leaving the city looking for another camera operator. Port Richey officials were notified by the company Aug. 27, said City Manager Richard Reade, and they're hoping to negotiate a contract with another company soon. Several companies have inquired about taking over the program and, Reade said, the city might have to go through the bidding process again.

Until that company is named, ATS will continue to oversee the three cameras at U.S. 19 and Ridge Road as part of its agreement with the city, police said.

Cameras Verboten On State Roads
Part of the reason ATS could not get permission to expand is that U.S. 19 is a state highway and the state does not allow red-light cameras on its roads. That left ATS to deal with private individuals and businesses. The property at U.S. 19 and Ridge where the cameras now are mounted is owned by a Denny's franchise.

Under the city's arrangement, ATS monitors the three middle lanes of southbound U.S. 19.

When a car runs a red light, the cameras capture that image and send it to the company for verification. Images showing a violation are forwarded to Port Richey police, where they're screened again to decide whether a violation notice should be sent. Tickets are $125. Violators can go online to watch streaming video of their cars running the light.

After a two-month trial run, Port Richey officials said they were pleased with the system and started issuing tickets May 2, making the community the first in West Central Florida to use red-light cameras.

The technology has drawn critics, though, including Libertarian groups that complain the real purpose of red-light cameras is to generate revenue.

Police Say They're For Safety

Interim Police Chief Dave Brown disagrees, saying the department's main concern is safety and that the public has accepted the cameras.

Reade concurred with Brown and said the program continues to be worthwhile.

"We feel like we have some dangerous intersections along U.S. 19 and other areas in the community," said Reade. "We are only concerned with the safety of our residents."

Traffic accidents, according to Brown, have declined 10 percent since the technology was installed at U.S. 19 and Ridge Road.

From May 2 to Thursday, ATS has issued 1,172 tickets, generating $146,500. About $100,000 of that went to Port Richey.

"I wish I could have a patrol at every intersection, but I don't have the manpower to do that," Brown said.

Several other Florida communities, including Hillsborough County, are considering red-light cameras. The Hillsborough Sheriff's Office said it has 10 problem intersections where it wants the cameras installed starting in November.

Some of those are on state highways, which means the company selected by Hillsborough will need to negotiate with private land owners to operate cameras at those sites.

ATS, which is based in Scottsdale, Ariz., has not said why its talks with property owners did not succeed.

An ATS spokesman said he could not discuss specific negotiations because of the company's agreement with the city.

At least one property owner contacted by ATS did not object to the cameras, although they were never installed.

Bob Leggiere, a former Port Richey councilman and the owner of Custom Windows & Doors of Pasco, said the company approached him a few months ago about mounting red-light cameras outside his business at U.S. 19 and Grand Boulevard.

He said the company told him it was installing the cameras, as if it already had permission. Leggiere told ATS he didn't mind the cameras but had questions, such as what happens to the cameras if he sells his property.

He said he never got a response and the installation never went forward.

"I don't have a big problem if it's for safety, but I don't like they way they went about it," he said, referring to ATS.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis contributed to this report. Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633 or at rshopes@tampatrib.com.

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