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Cameras are budget boon

Tampa Bay Online -- The city of Tampa has almost 2.3 million reasons to like red light cameras.

The photo-based system of ticketing traffic violators still generates plenty of controversy, and a bevy of mixed court decisions, but while the public debate simmers, the cameras are flashing at a dizzying pace. The automated system racks up traffic scofflaws at rates far higher than police ever could.

The numbers are adding up for cash-starved local governments.

"I'm surprised how much revenue we brought in," Tampa City Councilman Mike Suarez said of the $2.26 million the city has pulled in since November from red light camera violations at 24 intersections.

"I've also been told the Tampa Police Department has seen a reduction in crashes at intersections with red light cameras. Yes, we are making a little bit

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Submitted Aug 06, 2012 By: skb69sa

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,650 Points:1,612,445 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2012 6:20:42 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse FL is still not fully okay with it in some areas.
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,732 Points:1,694,805 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2012 5:59:32 AM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse nor legal in CA
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,650 Points:1,612,445 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2012 5:58:01 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse many hear have said that for a long time. Red Light Cameras = Cash Cows.
GatorGuy Champion Author Columbia Posts:2,238 Points:1,209,945 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 2:07:08 PM Ignore GatorGuy Report Abuse Thank you, big brother for keeping me safe. Whatever the cost.
hauler43 Champion Author Oakland Posts:8,158 Points:2,597,750 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 1:39:28 PM Ignore hauler43 Report Abuse Drive correctly
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,018 Points:601,635 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 1:19:17 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.
allezrider Rookie Author Massachusetts Posts:77 Points:717,240 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 8:31:17 AM Ignore allezrider Report Abuse The perception that I get is that people would rather bitch about the cameras than follow the rules of the road. Doesn't surprise me. I say keep the cameras.
tidalwave3 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:1,310 Points:1,466,495 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 6:35:57 AM Ignore tidalwave3 Report Abuse tomok: You are so naive.. Red Light cameras are part of Agenda 21 and promote you are "Guilty until proven innocent" concept. And yes the lights have been altered with yellow light timing and other defects. Red Light Cameras must GO, they are more defective that working and all to RAISE REVENUE for the local Government :( Right on "defianceman" you know it andf New Orleans and Houston voters did vote to stop REd Light Cameras :)
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,088 Points:2,348,435 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 4:08:27 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Obey the traffic laws and red light cameras are not a problem. Drive over the speed limit, run red lights and cameras will record your offenses. Expect to pay the local government for your mistakes. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, has a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
defiancegasman Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,080 Points:1,323,260 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 12:58:18 AM Ignore defiancegasman Report Abuse Not the whole story. MOST CITIES that put in the red light cameras will SHORTEN THE YELLOW LIGHTS to GENERATE MORE ILLEGAL TICKETS. It is a TAX INCREASE on the WORKERS, since the TAX CUTS FOR THE RICH have reduced the total taxes paid, they have to make it up somehow!!
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:7,079 Points:1,630,050 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:59:45 PM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse trying to balance the budget, eh
MDTDriver Champion Author California Posts:9,739 Points:2,157,570 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:57:33 PM Ignore MDTDriver Report Abuse Stay out of Tampa.
DandyDapple All-Star Author North Dakota Posts:715 Points:313,070 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:55:58 PM Ignore DandyDapple Report Abuse 9 out 10 are defective ... what a joke ...
Saunch2012 Veteran Author Pennsylvania Posts:451 Points:111,105 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:54:43 PM Ignore Saunch2012 Report Abuse ok
jferrara41 All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:598 Points:110,665 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:53:02 PM Ignore jferrara41 Report Abuse Big Brother, here we go
Tekkersmom57 Champion Author Syracuse Posts:1,894 Points:704,115 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:50:51 PM Ignore Tekkersmom57 Report Abuse I guess if it makes the intersection safer it is worth it.
VernonOR Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,925 Points:739,820 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:44:27 PM Ignore VernonOR Report Abuse Great, the only way to stop traffic violators is to hit them in the pocket book. The higher the price of a ticket combined with higher auto insurance help stop repeat offenders.
J4romeo All-Star Author Gary Posts:506 Points:1,214,925 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:42:55 PM Ignore J4romeo Report Abuse another two way attack on tax payers pockets...1st having the cameras installed n 2nd if u are one of the unlucky ones that get caught by the camera with a ticket in the mail..:(
Focus2 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,896 Points:1,920,520 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:41:50 PM Ignore Focus2 Report Abuse My niece got a ticket mailed to her that her son got by a red light. She paid it not knowing she didn't have too, as she was not the driver and was home.
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,320 Points:1,640,870 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:41:08 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse EASY $!
mdskier Champion Author Maryland Posts:9,947 Points:1,784,730 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:39:10 PM Ignore mdskier Report Abuse Here Beltway Bandits install them for free at no cost to county/cities. The Bandits get to keep 40 to 50% of the money collected. What A Scam! Scufflaws are mostly those awful soccer moms in a rush to get their johnnys to school on time!
MaxCO2 All-Star Author Washington Posts:503 Points:163,320 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:37:47 PM Ignore MaxCO2 Report Abuse If you get one of these tickets, don't pay it. They can't prove you were driving the car. It's that simple if you've got the balls.
shadow_knows Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,518 Points:335,595 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:36:40 PM Ignore shadow_knows Report Abuse Easy to avoid that fine. Just stop for a red. It won't kill you.
mikaye Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,849 Points:868,335 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:35:03 PM Ignore mikaye Report Abuse more gouging
rbrk02 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:5,758 Points:820,155 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:33:50 PM Ignore rbrk02 Report Abuse Money grab. Red light cameras should be illegal.
WBBNC Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:499 Points:488,640 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:32:47 PM Ignore WBBNC Report Abuse I am not surprised how much revenue they (cameras) brought in...
gavinON All-Star Author Toronto Posts:562 Points:112,935 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:32:28 PM Ignore gavinON Report Abuse hmmm
bra0712 Champion Author Arizona Posts:3,675 Points:771,270 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:29:47 PM Ignore bra0712 Report Abuse K
greentre All-Star Author Pensacola Posts:803 Points:277,565 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:28:24 PM Ignore greentre Report Abuse As long as they are set up correctly and aren't combined with short yellow lights, etc.
bonzoonfmb Champion Author Florida Posts:1,792 Points:646,535 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:24:45 PM Ignore bonzoonfmb Report Abuse I hate red light cameras but they will not be banned if they are making money.
Bleeder Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,038 Points:1,701,125 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:23:40 PM Ignore Bleeder Report Abuse Some towns have taken this too far. But then again, don't break the law and you will have nothing to worry about.
silverfoxv65 Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,495 Points:1,232,825 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:22:59 PM Ignore silverfoxv65 Report Abuse Maybe they will have enough money to keep the cops they have now!
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:7,937 Points:1,577,905 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:22:57 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse in othere words, it is a good revenue source and that is it
FlogNut Champion Author Chicago Posts:104,395 Points:1,991,350 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:20:52 PM Ignore FlogNut Report Abuse Money, money, money! It's all about more money so politicians can buy more votes!
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:13,701 Points:2,616,950 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:19:47 PM Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse How are they wasting this windfall?
Pramodsharma Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,976 Points:389,055 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:18:33 PM Ignore Pramodsharma Report Abuse There looks to be a camera lobby
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,213 Points:874,835 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:17:32 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse They are not about safety, they are about raising revenue.
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,814 Points:1,845,400 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:16:18 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse Cameras are very dangerous. THere are more collisions now thna before the cameras. Get rid of them NOW!
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,815 Points:821,260 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:16:05 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse definitely an easy $$$$$$ cash $$$$$$$ flow generator for cities once their initial investment for the equipment is recovered
abacus44 Champion Author Toms River Posts:3,495 Points:750,665 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:14:37 PM Ignore abacus44 Report Abuse They are being banned in many towns and states, as well they should be.
regasaz Champion Author Phoenix Posts:5,775 Points:1,283,880 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:11:27 PM Ignore regasaz Report Abuse It is more of a revenue generator than a safety issue for these cities.
blazerbob91 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,160 Points:1,886,595 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:07:24 PM Ignore blazerbob91 Report Abuse They cause more problems than they are worth
tco9436 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:1,782 Points:724,975 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:06:08 PM Ignore tco9436 Report Abuse Doesn't Help ME!
WebGabe Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,384 Points:499,545 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:04:25 PM Ignore WebGabe Report Abuse Ripoff.
warlord1 Champion Author Georgia Posts:5,260 Points:1,036,925 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:04:10 PM Ignore warlord1 Report Abuse ok
jimedB Veteran Author Riverside Posts:410 Points:80,315 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:02:40 PM Ignore jimedB Report Abuse But they always tell us here that they are not to generate revenue but to improve safety. In fact most of the cameras are being taken out due to the fact the contract to lease and operate them costs much more than the fines collected.
MahopacJack Champion Author New York Posts:8,020 Points:1,586,525 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:02:21 PM Ignore MahopacJack Report Abuse Were the cost of these cameras mentioned in the article? The upkeep? It seems the only thing the politicians are looking at is the revenue? Did I miss something? Politicians not looking at unintended consequences?
DustyHorse Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,098 Points:1,393,795 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:01:53 PM Ignore DustyHorse Report Abuse Red light cameras cause accidents. I was rear ended by a F-150 pickup after stopping for one of these lights. He hit me hard enough to break my seat and total my car. Fortunately I just got the wind knocked out of me.
John747 Champion Author Chicago Posts:472,563 Points:3,627,835 Joined:Aug 2001	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:01:29 PM Ignore John747 Report Abuse This is all about getting more revenue for the cities.
sillywagon Champion Author New York Posts:14,907 Points:1,443,295 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 11:00:17 PM Ignore sillywagon Report Abuse It's for public safety! Make sure the yellow light isn't too long. Now how do we waste... I mean blow... eh, spend all this revenue.