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Red Light Camera up but not Operative in Margate
• Red light camera talks in city going on two years
Saturday,
August 20, 2011
A lone red light camera system hangs over the intersection of State Road 7 and Atlantic Boulevard in Margate, but isn't operating. Though the city planned to go live with the cameras July 1st, Margate Police have yet to launch their 30-day public awareness campaign that includes warning signs at intersections and information on the city's website about citations and how the system works.
Margate City Attorney, Eugene Steinfeld, said the city is making changes to the red light camera contract with the camera vendor, American Traffic Solutions, but wasn’t specific to the nature of the changes.
Other intersections in Margate targeted for red-light cameras include Margate Boulevard and State Rd. 7; and Rock Island Road and Royal Palm Boulevard traveling south.
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Red light cameras were first introduced to Margate Commissioners in the form of a no-bid contract in May 2009.
Recognizing the need to send the service out to bid - as ATS was not a sole provider of red light cameras - Margate commissioners approved an RFP (Request for Proposal) process that resulted in awarding ATS the contract in December 2009.
Since, the camera program has been on hold in Margate, largely due to Florida lawmakers figuring out the best way to regulate the devices, which they did last July when mandating Florida cities hand over more than 40 percent of red-light camera revenues to the state. At that time, Margate Police Chief, Jerry Blough said the cameras would likely go live in Margate by the end of the year.
The installation of red-light cameras has been a source of controversy among Margate commissioners - some for, some against - a majority voting October 6, 2010 to install cameras at high-volume intersections in in the city. Commissioner, David McLean was in dissent, saying the cameras reek of ‘Big Brother’ watching. Commissioner, Joe Varsallone was in favor, saying the cameras will make walking and riding a bike in Margate safer and will generate needed state and local revenue.
Five months later in March, Steinfeld told MargateNews.net that the city is playing it cautious and postponing camera installation until cities like Pembroke Pines and Fort Lauderdale work out judicial kinks in prosecuting red light runners caught on camera. Many of the cases were getting thrown out by ticket attorneys, costing cities a fortune in court costs, appearances and due diligence.
Further dampening installation of the cameras at the time was a decision by the Broward County Commission to defer voting on an agreement stipulating the terms under which Broward cities can use county traffic signal infrastructure to connect red light cameras, Steinfeld said.
Finally in May, Margate commissioners agreed on a timeline for camera implementation, but since have thrown out the July 1st date.
Margate Mayor, Pam Donovan, told MargateNews.net the city is definitely moving forward with the red light camera program and a revised timeline will be announced.
When it is, red light camera intersections will be clearly marked with signs, said Blough, and motorists will have 30 days to get used to them. After that, citations will be $158 each. the Chief said he is confident the technology will make Margate intersections safer.
To the chagrin of camera naysayers, Broward Judge, Steven P. DeLuca ruled last week the cameras withstand constitutional muster – though an appeal is expected.
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American Traffic Solutions (ATS) was found to have spent as much as $1.5 million lobbying public officials and contributing to political campaigns in the past four years, reports the Orlando Sentinel. This allowed the company to ensnare huge support from law enforcement officials and legislators across the state.
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