It's for "Public Safety"

[legion]

Right.

Arizona Budget Banking on Speeders
Jan 19, 06:57 AM EST
By PAUL DAVENPORT - Associated Press Writer

PHOENIX (AP) -- Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano says the deployment of new photo radar or other speed enforcement technology on state highways is all about public safety. But her proposed state budget counts on the anticipated speeding fines to help erase a projected revenue shortfall.

The proposal, submitted to the Legislature late Friday, anticipates $120 million in revenue the first year, including $90 million in net income after expenses from the statewide effort. Even bigger dollar amounts are expected in future years.

The state faces a projected revenue shortfall of at least $1.2 billion in the fiscal year that starts July 1.

While some states use photo radar and similar technology on a limited basis in areas such as construction zones, experts said Arizona is in the vanguard of moving toward a widespread deployment of speed technology on highways.

"It wasn't designated primarily for revenue generation but since we have it (and) it works, we want to move statewide," Napolitano said. "We made that decision before the whole budget issue arose. Now we take advantage of it and use it for law enforcement highway safety purposes."

The governor's budget aides said Friday they could not immediately provide details on assumptions used to project the revenue estimate, including the numbers of expected violations.

Napolitano's plan needs approval by the Republican-led Legislature, and one key lawmaker expressed immediate opposition.

"I don't know whether Arizonans want to be policed by cameras," said Senate Transportation Chairman Ron Gould, adding that he plans legislation to require that voters decide the issue. "It smacks of Big Brother to me."

Proposals calling for even limited use of cameras have run into opposition in some states.

Maryland's transportation secretary on Tuesday told lawmakers that cameras in highway work zones would improve worker safety and reduce accidents, but lawmakers raised concerns on privacy, effectiveness and motive.

Arizona Automobile Association spokeswoman Linda Gorman said the 750,000-member group representing drivers supports photo radar as a way to improve traffic safety but not to help balance the state budget.

A year ago, Napolitano cited results from suburban Scottsdale's use of fixed cameras on a stretch of state freeway when she directed the state Department of Public Safety to begin researching the possible use of new speed enforcement devices.

An Arizona State University professor who studied the Scottsdale project found that it reduced speeding and accident rates. That system uses sensors embedded in the freeway to trigger cameras that snap photos of speeding vehicles. Motor vehicle records are checked to find the vehicles' owners, ultimately leading to citations for identified drivers.

[nostatic]

in a semi-related note, I'm fighting a parking ticket right now. I got it parked outside my local Peets for "no parking 4-6pm"

The problem? The section of the street that is under that rule ends right before where I parked - the street widens and regular parking is allowed. To add insult to injury, the parking dick wrote the wrong address on the ticket. The address he put is under the no parking area.

Here's the pic I took when I discovered the ticket (5 minutes after it was written):



I also included a google maps sat photo showing how the street widens and why the no-gridlock rule isn't in effect there. I also pointed out that Peets is at 1854 Westwood Bl, not 2040 Westwood Bl, as was written on the ticket.



So you think I have a chance? The photo has a date/time stamp on the file. It's gonna REALLY piss me off if they don't dismiss the ticket.

[Jim Bremner]

i got busted for being 18" from the curb, I meassured it and I was 16" from the curb.

I took photos, and mailed it in the told me "there's no legal way to not pay this ticket" $45.00 thank you

[968rz]

Public safety my a$$!

What will happen to the budget promise when everyone just slows down for the cameras and no tickets are wrote (what a load of crap ).
Our Wis Gov just raised the cigarette tax with the promise of using the money for good things like roads and safety and health and....., problem is everyone is quitting so their is NO extra money

It will be interesting to watch the outcome of both states (and see where they REALLY get the money)

[Rick Lee]

Looks like I'll need that Photoblocker on my plates and maybe a jammer when I move to AZ.

Nostatic, I fought a very similar ticket about 15 yrs. ago. I brought my yellow pages and a map to court to show the judge that the address on the ticket didn't exist. She dismissed it before I could even start presenting the evidence.

[Sapporo Guy]

Big Brother in action!
OOOps , make that Big "Sister" -- note the name "Janet"

I wonder what here kick back is from the firm that will be installing/building the cameras.

Automated law enforcement is a form of "Big Brother" mentality. I don't understand why so many people buy this jibberish of "for the public's safety!"

How can that type of statement appease people? Don't they realize that the more control you give, more control you will loose in the future!

Today, automated cameras. So, tomorrow is automated chips in your car that will ticket you in your own car while you are driving.

Pets with pill like transmitting devices under the skin. Next step, pill like devices for humans.

Fight Club had it right. Credit organizations have your payment history in their control.

I thought we were a free people at one time, No kings, no serfdom, what a scam.
We are pwn'd from the begining, we are modern day "serfs" ... we don't even own our own land. How deep do you own? IF you don't pand land taxes, the government without a blink of the eye takes what you think you own. Yeah, right, pay once own for life. BS. We pay once, and pay per month to own the priviledge of the idea that we own our own land.

so much for freedom

[ronin]

(reprint from another thread - in reference to 19 planned new traffic cameras in the seattle area)


oh, and just in case anyone has been camping out under a Rock over the last fEw days. in a fit of beneVolent, holiday-induced, must-provide-safEty-for-my-beloved-citizeNry-at-all-costs spastic-ism, Mayor Doright Nickels has annoUnced the planned installation of yEt another 19 wonderful traffic-light cameras

I feel so much safer now...
__________________

[ronin]

and how about a state coercing its own Patrol Officers to enrichen the state's coffers:


Washington State Police Use Ticket Quotas
Quotas boost the number of traffic tickets issued by the Washington State Patrol.

Officials with the Washington State Patrol set numeric goals that encourage state police officers to issue as many traffic citations as possible. The effect has been a significant increase in the number of tickets written -- 50,000 additional tickets were issued between 2005 and 2006. The boost came as the percentage of motorists who received tickets instead of warnings jumped from 43 percent in 2004 to 63 percent in 2006.

"We did ask our troopers to be a little less tolerant," Assistant State Patrol Chief Brian Ursino told KING-TV. "There isn't any quotas but there is accountability."

A Bellvue state patrol sergeant issued a memo ordering troopers to meet the accountability goals, writing: "No matter how many cars you stop, the goal... is 80 percent enforcement (tickets)."

Those failing to meet the goal may lose vacation time or receive other sanctions. KING-TV cited a March memo that suggested troopers who stopped 1200 drivers and issued at least 660 traffic tickets would receive a commendation -- essential for officers seeking to increase their pay through promotions.

Legislators including state Representative Shirley Hankins (R-Richland) have called for an end to ticket quotas, but the state patrol has a powerful ally. Former Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee Chairman Al O'Brien (D-Mountlake Terrace) spent 29 years working as a Seattle Police sergeant. O'Brien now chairs the Public Safety Committee and refuses to hold a hearing on any ticket quota bill.

Ticket quotas are nothing new for the Washington State Police. In 2002, a public records request by the Washington Seatbelt Coalition uncovered a confidential "Traffic Safety Blitz" memo urging a specific number of tickets issued each hour.

"During the emphasis, officers shall contact a minimum of three (3) violators per working hour with the desired outcome of 3 occupant protection/speed infractions per hour," Deputy State Patrol Chief Lowell M. Porter wrote. "Officers failing to meet the minimum requirement may be replaced."

Source: Are WSP troopers filling ticket quotas? (KING-TV (WA), 11/27/2007)

[Sapporo Guy]

Now we know where of a lot of Police harassment comes from.
These folks have pressure which thereby affects their performance and duties.

[ronin]

yup, and of course the public then proceeds to take it out on the officers themselves, thereby creating an even bigger rift between the partrolmen and the public at large. our esteemed Chief of the State Patrol proudly proclaims that due to this type of "emphasis", citizen complaints (iow: calls to the patrol for reporting traffic violations) are down. but that's only because the citizenry no longer views the State Patrol as being on its side! yet the agency thereby uses this ill logic to continue this policy. and the rape of the people continues

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I swear, I can't wait to leave this @$$hole of a state...