It was always about the revenue

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At least Hamilton is upfront about it.  Middletown sees revenue going down, not so much about Public Safety anymore is it.
Hamilton eyes adding red-light cameras; Middletown says revenue down from program

By Ed Richter
Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
MIDDLETOWN  While Hamilton is looking at installing red-light cameras as a revenue-generator, Middletown is considering whether it wants to continue the program.
Middletown City Manager Judy Gilleland said late Tuesday, June 10, there are some initial internal discussions of the city's options.
Gilleland declined to comment further on the future of the city's eight red-light cameras that went into operation in March 2005.
Police Chief Greg Schwarber said he recently completed a report for Gilleland to review on the issue.
According to city officials in the past have said the goal of the red light cameras are not to make money, but to reduce accidents and injuries.
However, city officials also have noticed "a significant decrease" in revenues to the city in 2007 compared to 2006.
Vehicles and license plates are caught on camera if they run the red light and before a civil citation is mailed, the photos are reviewed by a Middletown police officer who determines if a violation occurs.
While motorists do not receive violation points on theirdriving record, there is a civil fine of $100 that is assessed of which the city receives a portion. Failure to pay incurs additional $25 penalties.
In 2006, the city's share of the revenues amounted to $142,250, according to Finance Director Russ Carolus. He said the revenues dropped to $107,518 in 2007.
Carolus also said the vendor that originally installed the cameras, Peek Traffic Corp. of Florida was bought out by Traffipax Inc. of Maryland in May 2007.
He said there have been some issues between the new vendor and the city.

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Pacman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jun 02 2007 Status: Offline Points: 2612	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pacman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: It was always about the revenue Posted: Jun 11 2008 at 8:52am
	At least Hamilton is upfront about it. Middletown sees revenue going down, not so much about Public Safety anymore is it. Hamilton eyes adding red-light cameras; Middletown says revenue down from program By Ed Richter Staff Writer Wednesday, June 11, 2008 MIDDLETOWN While Hamilton is looking at installing red-light cameras as a revenue-generator, Middletown is considering whether it wants to continue the program. Middletown City Manager Judy Gilleland said late Tuesday, June 10, there are some initial internal discussions of the city's options. Gilleland declined to comment further on the future of the city's eight red-light cameras that went into operation in March 2005. Police Chief Greg Schwarber said he recently completed a report for Gilleland to review on the issue. According to city officials in the past have said the goal of the red light cameras are not to make money, but to reduce accidents and injuries. However, city officials also have noticed "a significant decrease" in revenues to the city in 2007 compared to 2006. Vehicles and license plates are caught on camera if they run the red light and before a civil citation is mailed, the photos are reviewed by a Middletown police officer who determines if a violation occurs. While motorists do not receive violation points on theirdriving record, there is a civil fine of $100 that is assessed of which the city receives a portion. Failure to pay incurs additional $25 penalties. In 2006, the city's share of the revenues amounted to $142,250, according to Finance Director Russ Carolus. He said the revenues dropped to $107,518 in 2007. Carolus also said the vendor that originally installed the cameras, Peek Traffic Corp. of Florida was bought out by Traffipax Inc. of Maryland in May 2007. He said there have been some issues between the new vendor and the city.

John Beagle Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List MUSA Official Joined: Apr 23 2007 Location: Middletown Status: Offline Points: 1855	Post Options Post Reply Quote John Beagle Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 11 2008 at 9:16am
	They also have unresolved conflicts with the new company. So the ball is in Middletown's court and it looks like the current red light cameara company is on the way out.
	John Beagle Middletown USA News of, for and by the people of Middletown, Ohio.

VietVet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008	Post Options Post Reply Quote VietVet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 11 2008 at 11:00am
	Oh, but I can remember when they were trying to sell this idea to the public that revenue was questioned by the people but denied by the city. The city said it was about reducing accidents and for our safety. Now, as you point out, we find out the truth. Imagine that! Is there a topic(any topic- choose one) that can be discussed, that this city doesn't have a lie waiting in the wings to deliver to the citizens? And they have the audacity to ask us to trust them! Let's see, we'll put the traffic camera program under failed enterprises such as the City Centre Mall, Lake Middletown, Downtown Revitalization and the Towne Mall fiasco, not to mention failed economic development initiatives.

Ernie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Immigrant Joined: Jun 09 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 18	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ernie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 11 2008 at 11:03am
	Red light means STOP, green light meand GO, yellow light means GO FASTER so the camera will not get your picture. I pass through theee intersection all the time. Even pulled into a parking lot an watched the lights-vehicles-camera in action. Wow. Now that they have beed in use for a while I believe it is working to reduce accidents however, to see some of the things that occured because of the camera...wow. Maybe some of the money generated can be put to a good use.

Pacman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jun 02 2007 Status: Offline Points: 2612	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pacman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 11 2008 at 3:36pm
	I don't know Ernie I live and work near 3 of these intersections and have seen some real smash'em up accidents since the cameras went in. Would be interested to know if the number of accidents went up or down and if the severity of the accidents increased.

HereIam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Resident Joined: Oct 29 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 108	Post Options Post Reply Quote HereIam Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 11 2008 at 3:45pm
	Seems to me that if the revenue is going down, the cameras may be doing their job. Fewer tickets means fewer people running the lights. If it isn't about the revenue, it is actually good that it is going down.

arwendt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List MUSA Official Joined: May 17 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 588	Post Options Post Reply Quote arwendt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 12 2008 at 1:11pm
	From Baby Boomer Headquarters .com - The Three Great Lies: "Of course I'll respect you in the morning." "The check is in the mail." "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you." If they listed the fourth great lie that would be: "It's not about the revenue."