Kansas City red light camera info

[zef]

More Red-Light Cameras Start Rolling

Police Say First Camera Is Working To Deter Red-Light Runners

POSTED: 8:12 am CDT May 4, 2009
UPDATED: 8:38 am CDT May 4, 2009

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Red-light runners, beware. There are more red light cameras at work in Kansas City now.Five more intersections are being supervised by red-light cameras starting Monday.The first camera in Kansas City went up in January at 39th Street and Southwest Trafficway. Police said the high-tech devices are working, and helping to keep drivers from speeding through the intersection.Officers said they are giving out fewer tickets to red-light runners then they have in the past.The camera snaps pictures and video of all the cars driving through the intersection. A police officer looks at the pictures and then decides if a driver gets a ticket. Offending drivers receive a $100 ticket in the mail.There are now red-light cameras working at the following intersections:

39th Street and Southwest Trafficway
West 79th Street and Wornall Road
East 63rd Street and Prospect Avenue
39th and Main streets
East 19th and Walnut streets
West 27th Street and Southwest Trafficway

http://www.kctv5.com/traffic/19360681/detail.html

[LSCobra]

Video URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TopkgGxGzQs

Fixed. The all-seeing Electric Eye will protect us.

[zef]

here's a link to a google map i created to show the cameras.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...da588519e&z=12

[stephanie]

YAY BIG BROTHER!

[KUweatherman]

Good job on the map. Hopefully these cameras will stop at least a few people from running red lights. btw, can't wait for this thread to turn in to a 'Fuck Red Light Cameras' thread.

[stephanie]

Originally Posted by KUweatherman

Good job on the map. Hopefully these cameras will stop at least a few people from running red lights. btw, can't wait for this thread to turn in to a 'Fuck Red Light Cameras' thread.

It's not the fact that they are stopping people from running red lights its the fact that they are videotaping us.

[LSCobra]

Originally Posted by KUweatherman

Good job on the map. Hopefully these cameras will stop at least a few people from running red lights. btw, can't wait for this thread to turn in to a 'Fuck Red Light Cameras' thread.

Fuck Red Light Cameras. There ya go

[Madrat]

I thought it was pretty accepted knowledge that red light cameras cause more accidents than prevent.
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/18/1844.asp



People who purposely run red lights usually don't cause the accidents or they wouldn't purposely go because they would see they are about to get hit by a car.

Accidental red light runners are where the accidents happen, so having a camera or not having a camera wont make a difference.

Just another excuse for a bigger and more Orwellian government; you are not safer.

[Corners]

Yeah, redlight camera are NOT for safety. They are to increase revenue.

Whoever's idea it was to install these redlight cameras should be removed from office. Do NOT vote for anyone putting up redlight cameras. These people are not doing their job of REPRESENTING the population. Kick them out.

[KUweatherman]

AND, we're off!

[stephanie]

I just don't support any cameras that video tape the public in their every day life. If you want to put cameras on your private property that is your personal business but to put them in public areas is a violation of our right to privacy, I think at least.

[KUweatherman]

Originally Posted by stephanie

I just don't support any cameras that video tape the public in their every day life. If you want to put cameras on your private property that is your personal business but to put them in public areas is a violation of our right to privacy, I think at least.

You'll support that video if it helps prove your innocence in a traffic accident at one of these select few intersections. Cue calispec.

[huskerpower02]

Originally Posted by stephanie

I just don't support any cameras that video tape the public in their every day life. If you want to put cameras on your private property that is your personal business but to put them in public areas is a violation of our right to privacy, I think at least.

Originally Posted by KUweatherman

You'll support that video if it helps prove your innocence in a traffic accident at one of these select few intersections. Cue calispec.

....Or if you're rapped, mugged, robbed, etc. You'll love those cameras then.

I see what you're saying, but you're definitely taking it too far.

Edit: That's directed towards stephanie, not you curtis, in case there's any confusion.

[Madrat]

Giving up rights for safety or because of fear is against American philosophy.

Dumb America! fuck yeah!

[huskerpower02]

Originally Posted by Madrat

Giving up rights for safety or because of fear is against American philosophy.

Dumb America! fuck yeah!

I'm sure you've been watching a marathon of Zeitgeist with your Guy Fawkes mask on, but can we lay off the 1984 speak for a little bit?

Believe me, I'm all against big brother and big government, but can we not take this thread to that level?

[Madrat]

Originally Posted by huskerpower02

I'm sure you've been watching a marathon of Zeitgeist with your Guy Fawkes mask on, but can we lay off the 1984 speak for a little bit?

Believe me, I'm all against big brother and big government, but can we not take this thread to that level?

I was referring to Jefferson's and Franklin's writings.

[huskerpower02]

Originally Posted by Madrat

I was referring to Jefferson's and Franklin's writings.

And I was referring to George Orwell's novel Ninteen Eighty-Four, glad we could clear that up.

"Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither."

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."

[KUweatherman]

Originally Posted by Madrat

Giving up rights for safety or because of fear is against American philosophy.

Dumb America! fuck yeah!

First, driving isn't a right. Second, running a red light is illegal. I'm all for something that, in theory, helps stop red light runners. You'll have to forgive my support for these cameras since I've seen them work over and over again.

To answer one of your earlier posts too; those intersections where accidents increased were when cities improperly used red light cameras (i.e. decreased the length of the yellow light). Where they are used properly, they work. Simple as that. Are they a way to increase city revenue? Absolutely. All tickets do that. Be it a ticket for parking too far from the curb or going 50 mph over the speed limit. If anyone has problems with that, please refer to my first sentence in this post.

[Madrat]

Yeah you put it in a way thats my previous statement is conspiracy zeitgeist nonsense and should stay out of the thread, when in fact its textbook American philosophy.

I would hope thats a credible argument...

[Pfreaky]

Originally Posted by Madrat

Yeah you put it in a way thats my previous statement is conspiracy zeitgeist nonsense and should stay out of the thread, when in fact its textbook American philosophy.

I would hope thats a credible argument...

I don't like being filmed... but I don't think it is a bad idea by any means. I will be pissed when I get a $100 ticket in the mail someday though

[KUweatherman]

Originally Posted by Pfreaky

I will be pissed when I get a $100 ticket in the mail someday though

Don't run a red light and you won't get the ticket in the mail.


edit: Sort of funny story; I watched a car run a red light the other day with a sheriff right behind him. Oops!

[BryanW203]

Whats funny is when people figure out he cameras are there and obey the law. Now no more revenue. Then it cost tax payers $$$$ to run a camera the does nothing anymore than watch people follow the rules! I think it is Phoenix is where this phenomenom is happening, people slow down where cameras are at, and now they are a drain on city $$. Leave the cameras at best buy, hire another cop, you give someone a job and the general public is safer!

[zef]

Originally Posted by KUweatherman

To answer one of your earlier posts too; those intersections where accidents increased were when cities improperly used red light cameras (i.e. decreased the length of the yellow light). Where they are used properly, they work. Simple as that. Are they a way to increase city revenue? Absolutely. All tickets do that. Be it a ticket for parking too far from the curb or going 50 mph over the speed limit. If anyone has problems with that, please refer to my first sentence in this post.

maybe you'd feel differently if you had 3 of the cameras in your neighborhood, along your daily route, and so close to your house that you go through those intersections several times/day.

or maybe you'd feel differently if you knew that the KCMO city employee who lobbied for the cameras now works for the red light camera company who got the city contract ...

Missouri: Ethics Law Stops Traffic Camera Company
A former Kansas City, Missouri official is caught in the revolving door with the speed camera industry.

City employees who promote the acceptance of lucrative photo enforcement contracts are often rewarded with high-paying jobs at the firms that land the rights to issue automated tickets. In Kansas City, Missouri this revolving door has triggered ethics questions regarding a contract to issue up to $60 million in tickets.

City Traffic Engineer Steve Worley helped convince Kansas City officials that it was in their best interests to embrace speed cameras and red light cameras. These officials, desperate to fill a multimillion dollar budget gap, eventually agreed with the plan.

"The implementation of photo-radar would also have positive benefits from additional revenues generated by traffic fines," City Manager Wayne A. Cauthen wrote in the city budget submission in February 2006.

A few months later, a joint venture between German speed camera vendor Traffipax and Canada's Delcan Corporation hired Worley. The companies then sought to use Worley to ensure that his former employers would select them to operate the ticket program. On January 11, as reported by The Kansas City Star newspaper, Worley sent an email to city officials.

"As Kansas City continues to evaluate proposals, we hope that you will consider this important additional information," the email stated. "Ask [Gladstone city officials] why they feel our team stands above the rest."

The email violated a city ordinance banning employees who have left within a year from influencing any decisions that might personally enrich the former employee. Worley told the Star he had been unaware of that law when he sent the note.

On March 9, the city selected Worley's firm to manage the red light camera and speed camera contract. A lobbyist for rival camera vendor ATS is crying foul and wants the decision reconsidered. At least one city councilman agrees.

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/17/1733.asp

[KUweatherman]

Originally Posted by rolln_on_em

Whats funny is when people figure out he cameras are there and obey the law. Now no more revenue. Then it cost tax payers $$$$ to run a camera the does nothing anymore than watch people follow the rules! I think it is Phoenix is where this phenomenom is happening, people slow down where cameras are at, and now they are a drain on city $$. Leave the cameras at best buy, hire another cop, you give someone a job and the general public is safer!

It may be a financial drain, but it is a win for public safety the intersections with red light cameras. Off topic, but your first sentence made me think of the German radio's 'Blitz Report.' There would be run downs of where the mobile speed cameras would be on the local radio stations throughout the day. Those reports helped save me more than once.

[Madrat]

Originally Posted by kafir

maybe you'd feel differently if you had 3 of the cameras in your neighborhood, along your daily route, and so close to your house that you go through those intersections several times/day.

or maybe you'd feel differently if you knew that the KCMO city employee who lobbied for the cameras now works for the red light camera company who got the city contract ...

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/17/1733.asp