| Middletown's Red Light Cameras Are Back |
| Thursday, May 14, 2009 8:21:12 AM - Middletown Ohio |
By: Randy Lewis
On May 17, 2009 Middletown will once again enforce its red light
cameras. The safety system is currently being used, but only warning
citations are being issued till the 17th of this month. The fine will
be $100.
How does this work? Sensors detect when a car passes
and an automatic camera takes pictures. These pictures are sent to the
red light camera company's headquarters (which is in Arizona) and then
beamed back to Police for review. If it appears a violation has
occurred, a ticket is mailed to the vehicle owner, who has 30 days to
pay or appeal.
In 2004, the city established eight red-light
cameras at select intersections throughout Middletown. The original
contractor for the red light cameras was Peek Traffic, a Florida based
company. Peek Traffic was later bought out by the Maryland Company
Traffipax. The city had issues from the start with Traffipax. Among the
problems were, poor record keeping of accidents and other monitoring at
each of the camera locations.
Middletown police records show
there were 5,708 citations issued from April through December 2005;
5,752 citations issued in 2006; and 5,415 citations issued in 2007,
which was the transition year from the original vendor to Traffipax.
From January through May 2008, only 1,844 citations have been issued,
with seven of the eight cameras in operation.
Middletown has now
partnered with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc to monitor the system.
Redflex is the longest consistently-operating company in the photo
enforcement industry. The company, with U.S. operations based in
Arizona, has more than 20 years experience partnering with cities on
public safety programs. As the industry leader, Redflex has more
contracts in more states than any other vendor.
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