ES13Raven
11-23-2005, 01:37 PM
7/29/2005
Fresno, CA to Dump Red Light Cameras
Fresno, California may drop red light cameras after system delivers disappointing profit and no safety benefit.
City officials in Fresno, California admit that red light camera enforcement has not been worthwhile. The devices first installed in April 2002 have not generated the profit promised by Nestor, the vendor that operates the cameras on behalf of the city. In 2003, three traffic cameras issued 1834 citations generating over $600,000 in revenue.
But with that money shared between Nestor and the state of California, the city wasn't pleased with the remaining $20,000 profit. A series of technical problems plagued the program from the beginning ensuring the original promise of $13.8 million in revenue with $1.1 million profit would not be met. Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer complained of problems with identifying drivers, explaining in a memo that, "The number of citations issued was significantly lower than original estimates."
The police chief and at least one city council member now recommend that the city allow its contract with camera vendor expire so it can drop the program entirely
"We have seen better results in reduced traffic incidents by hiring more police officers and putting more traffic officers on the streets," Councilman Henry Perea said. "And I think that's the approach the city should have taken from the beginning."
9/2/2005
Fresno Dumps Red Light Cameras
Red light cameras no longer issue citations in Fresno, California.
As of yesterday, the trio of red light cameras operating in Fresno, California since 2002 are no longer issuing tickets. The city council declined to extend its contract with Nestor Traffic Systems, which operates the cameras, because the company failed to deliver the promised level of revenue.
Before securing the lucrative Fresno contract, Nestor had forecast that the city would keep $1.1 in annual profit from the program. On average, however, the system generated just $528,000 in revenue with the city keeping a net profit of $20,000 after the vendor and the state each took their cut of the hefty $340 citation. A series of technical problems plagued the program from the beginning, further limiting revenue.
City Council Member Cynthia Sterling told the Fresno Bee that the program, "just didn't work." The council refused to accept a flat-rate contract option that could have resulted in the city paying to operate this public safety program.
The equipment is still up though... :roll:
Fresno, CA to Dump Red Light Cameras
Fresno, California may drop red light cameras after system delivers disappointing profit and no safety benefit.
City officials in Fresno, California admit that red light camera enforcement has not been worthwhile. The devices first installed in April 2002 have not generated the profit promised by Nestor, the vendor that operates the cameras on behalf of the city. In 2003, three traffic cameras issued 1834 citations generating over $600,000 in revenue.
But with that money shared between Nestor and the state of California, the city wasn't pleased with the remaining $20,000 profit. A series of technical problems plagued the program from the beginning ensuring the original promise of $13.8 million in revenue with $1.1 million profit would not be met. Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer complained of problems with identifying drivers, explaining in a memo that, "The number of citations issued was significantly lower than original estimates."
The police chief and at least one city council member now recommend that the city allow its contract with camera vendor expire so it can drop the program entirely
"We have seen better results in reduced traffic incidents by hiring more police officers and putting more traffic officers on the streets," Councilman Henry Perea said. "And I think that's the approach the city should have taken from the beginning."
9/2/2005
Fresno Dumps Red Light Cameras
Red light cameras no longer issue citations in Fresno, California.
As of yesterday, the trio of red light cameras operating in Fresno, California since 2002 are no longer issuing tickets. The city council declined to extend its contract with Nestor Traffic Systems, which operates the cameras, because the company failed to deliver the promised level of revenue.
Before securing the lucrative Fresno contract, Nestor had forecast that the city would keep $1.1 in annual profit from the program. On average, however, the system generated just $528,000 in revenue with the city keeping a net profit of $20,000 after the vendor and the state each took their cut of the hefty $340 citation. A series of technical problems plagued the program from the beginning, further limiting revenue.
City Council Member Cynthia Sterling told the Fresno Bee that the program, "just didn't work." The council refused to accept a flat-rate contract option that could have resulted in the city paying to operate this public safety program.
The equipment is still up though... :roll: