by Scott Schaefer

Burien’s four red light cameras have been up and running for about four months, and according to the city’s Oct. 22nd e-newsletter, they are averaging “around 540 infractions per month.”

This puts the program on track to gross over $654,000 in its first year of operation.

As we’ve previously reported, the city initially projected that the first year would bring in around $200,000, with $250,000 for the second year and subsequent totals dropping after 2011 as drivers became more aware of them.

So we did some simple math, and discovered some rather surprising totals:

• Each red light ticket = $101 fine
• 540 tickets per month x 101 = $54,540 per month
• 12 x $54,540 = $654,480 annual gross revenue
• The monthly fee to camera provider RedFlex Systems appears to cap out at $6,870 ($82,440 annually)
• If the 540 per month average continues, the city will take in over $572,000 in revenue during the first year of this program ($654,480 – $82,440 = $572,040)
• That total is nearly three times the initial projected first-year total of $200,000

The camera earning the most money currently is the westbound one at SW 148th Street and First Ave South (Go 148th!), which is generating about 35% of the total infractions, or 189 per month (just over 6 per day), which equals a monthly sum of $19,089 – or more than $229,000 annually, which on its own surpasses the original $200k projection.

These four revenue-generating red-light cameras are located at three intersections, so next time you pass one, listen for the familiar “ka-ching” cash register sound:

• SW 148th & First Ave South – westbound and eastbound
• SW 152nd & First Ave South – westbound
• SW 160th & First Ave South – eastbound

On Tuesday (June 23rd) a class action lawsuit was filed in King County Superior Court  that alleges that 19 Washington cities, including Burien, are overcharging drivers who get tickets via red light cameras.

Attorneys for the eight plaintiffs are seeking class-action status over a 2005 law that says traffic-camera fines “shall not exceed the amount of the fine issued for other parking infractions within the jurisdiction,” according to the complaint.

“The intent of the Legislature was primarily safety, not raising of revenue,” said the complaint.

The suit was filed by attorneys representing four Seattle residents, inclduing two from Lynnwood, one from Lakewood and one from Puyallup. Their fines ranged from $64 to $124 per violation. According to court documents, one man, Seattle’s Mark Contratto, was fined $124 over two consecutive days for failing to come to a complete stop before turning right at a red stoplight.

The plaintiffs will ask a King County Judge to order a refund of the difference between $124 and the cost of an ordinary parking ticket.

As we’ve previously reported, Burien currently sends out a $101 fine for red light infractions, with five cameras operating at these three intersections:

• 1st Avenue South at SW 148th Street
• 1st Avenue South at SW 152nd Street
• 1st Avenue South at SW 160th Street

The cameras operate 24 hours a day and capture still photos and video of every vehicle that runs a red light at the intersection. After being processed by manufacturer RedFlex, the videos are accessed by Burien police through a website, where they are analyzed by an officer who decides whether or not to send out a ticket.

As for expected revenue, the city is expecting at least $200,000 in revenue for 2009 and $250,000 in 2010; these estimates were based on what the revenue generated in other cities by similar red light enforcement programs.

The lawsuit has not yet been served on Burien, nor the other 18 cities named. Once these cities are served, each jurisdiction will have 20 days to respond.

Those wishing to join the suit can contact attorney Rob Williamson at roblin@williamslaw.com or 206-780-4447.

In addition to the City of Burien, defendants include the cities of:

• Auburn
• Bonney Lake
• Bremerton
• Federal Way
• Fife
• Issaquah
• Lacey
• Lake Forest Park
• Lakewood
• Lynnwood
• Monroe
• Moses Lake
• Puyallup
• Renton
• SeaTac
• Seattle
• Spokane
• Tacoma

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Burien’s Red Light Camera Citations Are “In The Mail”
• City Official Addresses Red Light Camera Concerns
• Red Light Cams Go Live Sun.;To Bring In $200k In 1st Year?
• Burien Speeders Beware: Red Light Cameras Start Mar. 1st

SOURCES:

• KOMO News
• The Spokeman-Review
  

by Scott Schaefer

On March 1st, the City of Burien activated three “Red Light Cameras” on First Avenue South at SW 148th, SW 152nd and SW 160th, intersections that the city says have a higher incidence of red light violations and accidents.

The cameras, manufactured by a company called RedFlex:

• Will record photos and videos of cars running red lights and/or not stopping fully on a red light right turn.
• Each violation will result in the same $101 fine no matter which offense.
• Each violator’s photo and video are also apparently first reviewed by the manufacturer, RedFlex, prior to being seen by a local police officer.
• And each payment is controlled by RedFlex via their own website (https://www.photonotice.com), or by mail, before monies are paid to the Contractor (in this case, the City of Burien).

The City of Burien is expecting annual revenues from these cameras to be around $200,000 in 2009 to around $250,000 in 2010.

Since posting information about these new cameras, we’ve received numerous comments and emails; we also did our own research and discovered some controversy regarding the manufacturer, RedFlex.

Here are some recent news stories about RedFlex:

• RedFlex under investigation for mail fraud
• Arizona Sheriff ends contract with RedFlex
• RedFlex faces lawsuit for unapproved radar devices
• House panel votes to end photo radar
• Knoxville dumps RedFlex red light cameras
  

And here’s a taste of some of the previous comments we got:

If these are supposed to improve safety, I wonder if they did any research outside of what the vendor told them? Most good independent research shows that these cameras INCREASE accdident! Just read www.motorists.org/PictureOfFraud.pdf

And doesn’t it concern anyone that they created a contract that increases payout based on number of citations? Does it concern anyone that this company (Redflex) has been found guilty of falsifying court documents, among other things? http://PhotoRadarScam.com/trust.php

“The City pays Redflex a flat monthly amount. The fixed fee ranges from $4,870 to $6,870 per month depending on the number of violations.”

… what definition of “flat monthly amount” and “fixed fee” are they using, exactly?

How to make sure the cameras don’t end up being just about money:

Make the fine for rolling right turns, or left turns, much lower than for a straight thru violation. $20 is enuf to drive home the point about these relatively much-less-dangerous turning offenses. If, instead, the fine for turning is the same (substantial) amount as for a straight thru violation, then it’s about money.

Have a grace period, that is, no ticket unless you’re more than 1/2 sec. late. If no grace, it’s about money.

Set the yellow lights for left turns at 4.0 sec. If they’re left at 3.0, like in California, that triples the # of violations & it’s about money.

The contract with the vendor running the cameras must be changed to a genuine flat-rate. If the vendor is paid so-much-a-ticket, or a % of the fine revenue, or more money is there’s more tickets (as in the present contract), it’s about money.

Set a solid cap on the max. fine, including all surcharges. Otherwise, as soon as the govt. needs more money, it will rise to $400+, like in California, & it’s about money.

It may be too late to change the contract. It’s been signed. Although there may be an escape clause the city can use. But it is not too late to reduce the amount of the fines for turns, or institute a grace period, or lengthen the yellow on lefts.

these cameras tape 24/7 every car that passes, and can pull up exactly where you were and when by simply putting your plate # into their computer. Why?

Yes they will move the yellow time down to the lowest allowed by law. The speed cameras will come a short distance after the speed sign to decrease, not even giving you time to slow down,The company has already proved they will forge documents to get the results they want. Kiss your freedoms to privacy good bye folks they will have so many cameras you can’t count them.

From Arizona, invaded by and taken over bye redflex, triple A declares the state of Arizona a speed trap because of redflex. Come to sunny Arizona, I can assure you that it will cost you a whole lot more than you planned while driving here.

We then forwarded these on to Steve Botkin, Public Information Officer for the city, who helped us out by getting the following replies from Tabitha Miller, Finance Director:

Q: The City appears to have created a contract with RedFlex that increases payout based on the number of citations given. Yet in your previous email you said it was a “flat fee based on the number of violations” – isn’t this in reality a commission structure? Where, if Burien sends out more tickets, the city pays more to RedFlex? How is that a “flat fee”?
A: The contract with Redflex obligates the City to pay a fixed fee of $4,850 per month for each Designated Intersection Approach. However, there is a “Cost Neutrality” clause, where the City is not required to pay more than the actual cash received from violations.

The confusion here may be related to a second optional “Mobile Speed Unit” that the City has not implemented and there is no current plan to implement, where the fee structure is in part based on the volume of potential violations.

(If you are interested, we can send you a copy of the executed contract.)

Q: Is the fine for “rolling right turns” the same as for running a red light?
A: Yes – $101.

Q: What is the exact time duration of the yellow lights at these intersections?
A: The City contracts with King County for maintenance of our traffic signals. The exact duration/timing of the amber light depends on the intersection, speed and the direction of travel. For these intersections the interval ranges from 4.0 to 4.3 seconds.

Q: Is there any kind of “grace period” for yellow lights? Or do the cameras take the pic the second it turns red?
A: The cameras take both video and still pictures. An officer will review the video to determine if a violation has occurred. As a standard, if a vehicle enters the intersection when the light is red a violation has occurred.

Q: Is there a maximum cap to the cost of a red light ticket?
A: The base monetary penalty set by Burien Municipal Code is $101. BMC 10.05.070.

Q: Is there an escape clause for the city to get out of the contract with RedFlex?
A: The City has a standard contract term which provides for termination of the contract upon thirty days written notice. The City’s contract with Redflex includes the same standard language.

So, with all that said, we wonder what everyone thinks of these cameras, as well as the city’s contract with RedFlex?

Have you seen the cameras flash yet (meaning they took a photo)?

Do you have an opinion?

Please Comment below…

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Red Light Cams Go Live Sun.;To Bring In $200k In 1st Year?
• Burien Speeders Beware: Red Light Cameras Start Mar. 1st

The City of Burien is joining the ranks of municipalities everywhere – they’re installing “Red Light” cameras at three busy intersections along First Avenue South in an attempt to discourage red light running as well as possibly sweeten the city’s coffers.

The cameras will start clicking March 1st, and here’s how the system will work:

1. Red light running vehicle trips the camera, which takes both a photo and video.
2. After a 30-day warning period, the registered owner of a vehicle that runs a red light will receive a notice of infraction in the mail, which carries a $101 penalty.
3. The cameras will be placed at intersections along 1st Avenue S with the greatest traffic flow.
4. Photo enforcement warning signs, alerting drivers to the red light cameras, are being installed at the intersections.

Those intersections are:

• 1st Avenue South at SW 148th Street
• 1st Avenue South at SW 152nd Street
• 1st Avenue South at SW 160th Street

The cameras will operate 24 hours a day and capture still photos and video of every vehicle that runs a red light at the intersection. Photos are not taken until the law is broken, and the cameras only capture pictures of the rear of the offending vehicle and license plate.

Police officers review each photo to determine whether there was an infraction. If a violation occurs a notice of infraction will be sent to the vehicle’s owner. Recipients of a red light citation can view their violation video online at https://www.photonotice.com. The site requires the citation number, license plate number and the city code that is printed on the citation.

Our research indicates that this website (photonotice.com) is affiliated with a Phoenix, AZ traffic camera manufacturer called Redflex Traffic Systems. According to their 2008 Annual Report, the number of Redflex cameras operating within the US rose by 44% in 2008 from 877 to 1,267. Burien is one of ten Washington cities that has a contract with Redflex.

According to a City of Burien press release:

The primary goal of the traffic safety cameras is to reduce red light violations. The Photo Enforcement Program has been very successful in communities throughout Washington and the rest of the United States in changing the driving behavior of motorists. It has been shown that the cameras make drivers slow down and stop for red lights, preventing collisions. The cameras also contribute to the safety of pedestrians.

So consider yourself warned, B-Town Speed Racers!

Here are a few videos about red light cameras, including one on ways to possibly beat the cameras (we’re seriously considering selling the “red light camera beating” products in Burien):

Hey Cookie-Lou…it’s Hal “Chickie” Spear here with a travel tip so hot that it could brand the butt of a bitchy B-Town bull!

This is definitely something that only the Co$t Con$ciou$ Comic could find, since all he does lately is travel doing cruise ships and Vegas:

After my next cruise ship gig the muckymucks are flying me into Seattle but instead of  taking the second half of the itinerary - back home to Joisey – I’ve been pricing tickets on Expedia – for a trip from Seattle to Vegas on that day.

So Jet Blue is offering this most ridiculous flight plan – 11:39 pm Seattle into – get this – JFK NY! – then connect in JFK for a second plane to Vegas.  The entire trip from Seattle to Vegas  is 14 hours and 49 minutes!

But here’s the punchline Cookie:

The ticket is only $109 dolllars – that right – $109 smackarooneys (before taxes):

[EDITOR'S NOTE: We actually found the same ticket for just $99, but your mileage may vary...]

So technically you can buy this $109 ticket and use only the first part of the itinerary – just to NY – but make sure your Readers don’t check their luggage in all the way through Vegas (it’s called Carry On for a reason); the tag should read NY JFK - and bang, you’ll have a one way trip from Seattle to NY JFK for a measley $109 dollars!

If you try to buy a ticket direct to JFK, it’s usually around $159, and of course it’ll also cost your dignity since Homeland Security will be givin’ ya a full-on feely-meely friskie fest at SeaTac, seeing that one-way tix users are considered “terror risks.” But that’s yer problem Cookie-Lou, not mine – remember, I’m just the Co$t Con$ciou$ Comic.

Now that’s comedy my friend.

That’s comedy.

[Hal "Chickie" Spear is an old co-writer and friend of Scott Schaefer, Publisher/Editor of this here Blog. Chickie and Scottso wrote together for many years on Fox's "The Late Show" and Paramount's "The Arsenio Hall Show."]

Opening this weekend at the Burien Little Theatre is the bawdy comedy “Lysistrata,” a play about “making love not war” from April 4-April 27.

In the show, the women of Greece make a pact to withhold their sexual favors until their men agree to stop an endless war. A modern translation of the play by Aristophanes, the show has been further adapted to a rather comedic 1950s setting.

Please be aware that this play is not suitable for ages 15 and younger due to mature themes.

WHAT: “Lysistrata”

WHEN: April 4 through April 27th: Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.

WHERE: At the Theater in the Burien Community Center, 4th Ave. S.W. and S.W. 146th St., in Burien.

COST:  General admission: $18 Fridays and Saturdays, $15 Sundays. Senior and student admission: $15. Five Buck Friday, April 11 is sold out. Group rates available when paid in advance.

SPECIALS: Dinner and a Show package includes three-course meal at Burien’s Mark Restaurant & Bar plus ticket to the show for just $45 and excludes all other discounts. Call the Mark Restaurant and Bar at (206) 241-6275 for reservations and details.

TICKETS/INFO: Buy tickets online here, or call (206) 242-5180 or at www.burienlittletheatre.com