One year ago the City of Los Angeles finally shut down the failed red light camera program after Safer Streets L.A showed that the cameras did not improve safety yet was costing the Los Angeles city budget millions of dollars annually. That figure doesn’t include the loss to our society from issuing tens of thousands of $480 tickets to undeserving motorists, mostly for making relatively safe rolling right turns. It’s difficult to measure the extent, but unquestionably issuing these tickets hurt everyone by removing millions of dollars from our local economy through excessive fines and increased insurance rates.
At the height of the program, the city was issuing about 60,000 citations per year amounting to almost $30 million in fines. Therefore, in the year since the program ended, we saved at least 60,000 citizens from getting scammed by this revenue scheme, put millions of dollars back into the local economy, and put about seven police officers back on the street where they can actually help keep us safe. And that benefit will continue to accrue each year automated ticketing cameras are kept out of our city. You’re welcome.
P.S. Here’s a list of the good guys and bad guys in last year’s drama:
Helped to End the Camera Scam
Paul Koretz
Eric Garcetti (Running for Mayor)
Bill Rosendahl
Paul Krekorian
Dennis Zine (Running for Controller)
Ed Reyes
The Honorable Members of the Los Angeles Police Commission
The Rogues Gallery (these people fought tooth and nail to try to keep the scam going)
Tony Cardenas (now running for U.S. Congress)
Jan Perry (now running for Mayor)
Bernard Parks
Richard Alarcon (now running for State Assembly)
Tom LaBonge
I read the above information regarding the discontinuation of the redlight cameras in Los Angeles. I am confused as I received a redlight camera citation dated July 12 2012. Is the ticket enforceable? How should I proceed? Any information would be greatly appreciated.