(Memphis TN City Councilman) Lowery Proposes Speed Cameras as Possible Budget Solution

My Fox Memphis ^ | 05/26/2011 | My Fox Memphis

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

Chairman Myron Lowery is the latest City Councilman to suggest a possible solution for the City’s budget woes.

During Wednesday City Council meeting, Lowery proposed expanding the red light camera program to include speed enforcement.

He says by equipping the cameras with radar guns, the city could make enough money from tickets to prevent a city tax hike and job cuts.

Lowery has invited to Memphis a representative from American Traffic Solutions. The company operates the speed cameras and will meet with the council next Wednesday.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

[umgud]

I thought these cameras were for safety, not revenue. At least he’s honest.

[momtothree]

Perfect picture. I live in a county that has tons of speed cameras and red light cameras. It is horrible. More accidents than you would think as a result of people slamming on their brakes. They are strictly for revenue, too. Not safety.

[pepsionice]

It’s a rather interesting game. The camera guy shows up and what he really wants you to do...is lease the cameras (to get the full warranty deal). Naturally, he wants front money, monthly money, and percentage money from each ticket. The political folks are mostly sold off his fancy graphical display that they can clear $500k a month easily.

So months pass with this new operation. The cops start to get challenged in court over various issues with the cameras. Eventually, an expert or two arrives in town with fancy graphics and starts to work for a couple of lawyers. They start to win cases in court. The amount of money starts to draft downward in terms of profit.

So the council starts to realize that the monthly fee is eating into the profit scheme, and the ticket fee that the company is taking in....is now a problem because it’s guaranteed whether the cops win or lose in court.

Then the city starts to discuss getting out of the contract, and realizes that they have to pay a pretty heft fee to get out. All in all...it’s an eventual lose-lose-lose scenario.

[Lockbox]

and what happens if no one breaks the law, then how will they raise the money?

Or they could ask PHOENIX how their system worked out......

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

and what happens if no one breaks the law, then how will they raise the money?

When has that ever stopped the cops/govt from ticketing/arresting/fining you?

[Paladin2]

What about police-state citizen fleeing?

[Jeff Winston]

Wednesday afternoon, American Traffic Solutions representative Bob Slymes begins his presentation to the Memphis City Council.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I'm all for this, on one condition: We get to wire all government officials and employees with webcam/microphones to the Internet 24/7 so you can monitor them to be sure that they are discharging their duties responsibly and not engaging in any illegal activities.

We can call it the Government Agent Neutralization Act, and it is for the children.

[cva66snipe]

Well they won’t be making near the money on them they were
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/may/22/traffic-camera-bill-approved/ Not quite enough IMO but a pretty good dent in stopping them. $50 limit on fines and no court cost can be added.

[kearnyirish2]

“More accidents than you would think as a result of people slamming on their brakes. They are strictly for revenue, too. Not safety.”

You’re absolutely right; they put them up in Newark, NJ, while at the same time making a pitch to the whites working there during the day to stop fleeing at 5 and spend some money. What a way to draw people in! Many of the other cars would turn up being stolen (or unregistered with illegal alien drivers) - they don’t pay their tickets.

[Coldwater Creek]

NO ONE slams on their brakes in Memphis. I’ve lived here for 40 years and have decided that the whole population is color blind.

[kearnyirish2]

In Newark the cameras went into effect on New Years; there is a noticeable change in driving patterns by the commuters entering/leaving the city - they know they’re the targets, to keep the banana republic going.

I received a bogus parking ticket there years ago, and haven’t been to a restaurant there since. There are enough of them in the surrounding towns now that you don’t have to risk life & limb (and more money) for some great paella or rabbit in garlic sauce...

[Secret Agent Man]

Who the hell they going to catch? A bunch of people speeding by in their boats?!?

This putz needs to be run out on a rail.

HOW ABOUT CUTTING SERVICES OR PERSONNEL, OR TRIMMING BACK GOVERNMENT WORKER BENNIES?????

Ass-head is what this councilman is. That’s the nicest word I can think of right now.