DelC
08-17-2001, 11:15
By Manny Fernandez - Washington Post Staff Writer - Friday, August 17, 2001; Page B01
On Wednesday, San Diego Superior Court Judge Ronald Styn found the use of the red-light cameras constitutional but criticized a key component of many of these systems -- companies are paid on a per-ticket basis.
"The potential conflict created by a contingent method of compensation further undermines the trustworthiness of the evidence which is used to prosecute red light violations," Styn wrote. Styn said that the fee arrangement San Diego officials made with Lockheed Martin IMS, which operates the San Diego system, calls into question the company's role as a "neutral evaluator of the evidence."
The San Diego case involves several hundred motorists who are fighting the citations, and the judge's ruling would exclude all photos taken from the camera system from being admitted as evidence. City attorneys will have the chance to persuade Styn otherwise at an Aug. 31 hearing.
Authorities say the cameras produce results, lowering the frequency of red-light running at busy intersections. Opponents of the systems have for the most part focused their complaints on the privacy implications of the cameras, objecting to what they see as the unblinking eye of Big Brother.
Lockheed, which also operates the District's red-light camera system, uses the fee arrangement with virtually all municipalities using its cameras. In the District, the company receives $32 for each red-light citation.
The payment method helps cash-strapped cities afford the program, said Mark Maddox, director of communications for Lockheed Martin IMS. "This is the least painful way for cities to pay for it," Maddox said. He added that the company, which supports other payment methods, will work with San Diego officials to address the concerns raised by the judge.
The judge noted that Lockheed had supervision over the camera system, not law enforcement or the city, a criticism also raised in the Washington area.
On Wednesday, San Diego Superior Court Judge Ronald Styn found the use of the red-light cameras constitutional but criticized a key component of many of these systems -- companies are paid on a per-ticket basis.
"The potential conflict created by a contingent method of compensation further undermines the trustworthiness of the evidence which is used to prosecute red light violations," Styn wrote. Styn said that the fee arrangement San Diego officials made with Lockheed Martin IMS, which operates the San Diego system, calls into question the company's role as a "neutral evaluator of the evidence."
The San Diego case involves several hundred motorists who are fighting the citations, and the judge's ruling would exclude all photos taken from the camera system from being admitted as evidence. City attorneys will have the chance to persuade Styn otherwise at an Aug. 31 hearing.
Authorities say the cameras produce results, lowering the frequency of red-light running at busy intersections. Opponents of the systems have for the most part focused their complaints on the privacy implications of the cameras, objecting to what they see as the unblinking eye of Big Brother.
Lockheed, which also operates the District's red-light camera system, uses the fee arrangement with virtually all municipalities using its cameras. In the District, the company receives $32 for each red-light citation.
The payment method helps cash-strapped cities afford the program, said Mark Maddox, director of communications for Lockheed Martin IMS. "This is the least painful way for cities to pay for it," Maddox said. He added that the company, which supports other payment methods, will work with San Diego officials to address the concerns raised by the judge.
The judge noted that Lockheed had supervision over the camera system, not law enforcement or the city, a criticism also raised in the Washington area.