Red light cameras violate our rights

Regarding your story on the red-light cameras, I truly feel this is a money grab by the city. Indeed, the American Traffic Solutions contract was extended because the city has already budgeted the funds squeezed from its citizens.

The red-light cameras are an abrogation of due process and our rights as citizens. Anyone who has had to deal with ATS knows the frustration of the loss of our access to due process.

I will not vote for any politician who votes for, or otherwise supports, the red-light cameras.

Ken Watts

pilot

Baton Rouge

Comments

1) Comment by phil - 20/02/2013

Sorry, but the rest of the people making comments do not all agree that there is nothing wrong with red light cameras. Also little brother (the public) has a lot more to worry about other than me because big brother IS watching in your computers etc and soon possibly also will be knocking on your door to check for "code" violations etc in the future. I do agree with the last comment by nimby?

2) Comment by nimby? - 20/02/2013

so easy a caveman can get it ; green light , go . yellow light , slow down , not speed up . red mean stop , good . now , put down phone , look at road ...

3) Comment by Melisse3 - 20/02/2013

Agree with the rest of the commentors... nothing wrong with red light cameras. Don't run red lights. Duh!

4) Comment by nimby? - 19/02/2013

Phil , the end is near . big brother is in your cell phone . if your car is newer than 2002 he's in there . and he's in your computer , tracking every web site you visit . don't fret , big brother has a lot more to worry about than Phil ...

5) Comment by phil - 19/02/2013

The red light cameras might not cost me a cent unless I get caught but perhaps they are the beginning of the end for costing me my freedom to go about freely without the fear of being tracked and watched. Don't you realize those same cameras can spy on people too if needed and then add the possible use of drones and we turn into a big brother is watching you state. But as I stated, if I have to give up my freedoms at least I want to make sure that some corrupt folks aren't getting rich at the expense of my freedoms.

6) Comment by ovation - 19/02/2013

There are two types of people in the world. The first type says that it is only wrong if you get caught and the second type say that it is always wrong no matter if you get caught or not. Those against the cameras are in the first category. They don't like being caught. By the way, the intersection at Coursey and Sherwood is much, much safer now with the cameras. Before, it didn't matter if the light was red or not, people continued to turn no matter what.

7) Comment by DMJ - 19/02/2013

Well put, nimby

8) Comment by nimby? - 19/02/2013

cameras don't discriminate . they don't consider how short the skirt is , that a person may not be a certain color/race . they don't tie up traffic with everyone rubber necking to see what they got you for . no confrontation at the scene . and they can't detect that you've stopped off and had a "few beers" on the way home . some should consider themselves lucky . Phil , unless you run a light the cameras aren't costing you a cent .

9) Comment by tradewinns - 19/02/2013

MBW has a point. catching red light runners is lots more profitable than pursuing murderers/rapist. the trial cost alone on murder/rape puts society in the hole.

10) Comment by phil - 19/02/2013

I believe there was a lot going on in New Orleans with crime camera contracts and some ties to BR were made a while back. All I can say is, when will the FBI decide to come to BR to look around? We have all kinds of cameras around BR, including traffic cameras and crime cameras. Then there was just an attempt to get another 5-year long contract approved for the BR traffic cameras with apparently no competitive bidding involved in the process. At least it looks like the contract was just renewed for just 1 year for now, so I give the council some credit for at least possibly looking into this situation. I say, follow the money! If I am forced to pay for something I do not believe in at least I want to know how the money is spent, who makes the profits, ETC..

11) Comment by DMJ - 19/02/2013

Is it a money grab? Probably. Is it a violation of anyone's rights? Of course not. Just 'cause your a pilot doesn't mean you have the right to fly through red lights as well. Zing!

12) Comment by Attila - 19/02/2013

Well, we could solve the problem of red light cameras by simply raising the fine for breaking that law to, say, $1000 for a first offense, going up for each offense thereafter. But wait! If people stopped running red lights a source of revenue to our insatiable local government would dry up..sort of a catch 22 huh? Those of you who rant about your "due process" need to give it a rest. As I have stated before, if a cop gives you a ticket you have the right to go to court of contest it. It is, after all, the cops word against yours. Take a WAG on who wins that battle. But when a red light camera nabs you the proof is recorded on film. Indisputable proof. No he said she said. The real solution is, as others have said, simply do not run a red light. If you do and get caught take it like a man/woman and stop bellyaching. No one held a gun to your head and forced you to run the light. You did it because you wanted to do it...now shut up and pay the ticket.

13) Comment by MBW - 19/02/2013

Yes, please tell our police to stop going after the murderers and rapists in Baton Rouge.....their time would be so much better spent sitting at traffic lights.

14) Comment by MBW - 19/02/2013

Ken Watts, are you saying that we should have laws, but not be able to enforce them?

15) Comment by nimby? - 19/02/2013

Bighug , that makes more sense than anything . stop feeding it , it will go away ...

16) Comment by lovemykids - 19/02/2013

Red light cameras have made me a better driver.

17) Comment by Bouncer - 19/02/2013

Courts have ruled time and again that the cameras are legal. On the other hand, running a red light is illegal. The cameras do not violate any "rights," including that of "due process." Again, the courts have spoken on the issue, ruling that the cameras do not violate privacy, nor do they violate procedural due process. The reason? Courts have ruled that nobody has a fundamental right to run a red light or to avoid being photographed by a camera on a public street. Nothing about the cameras is hidden---from their presence to your "right" to view the data collected about you, i.e., the photographic evidence. So, as others have said, slow down, stop running red lights, and stop squawking. If you are a law abiding citizen, what do you care if a traffic scofflaw gets a red light camera ticket for violating the law? It's no money out of YOUR pocket, and it helps make the streets a little safer for all drivers.

18) Comment by Bighug - 19/02/2013

I have a suggestion for all who would like to see the cameras go away. Refuse to run a red light! When the company renting them makes no money, they will stop providing them. We can do this. Start stopping for red lights today, fellow drivers!

19) Comment by gary - 19/02/2013

Is running a red light against the law?