Still think automated enforcement isnt about money

[glhs837]

Maryland Speed Cameras: Speed Cameras Now a $77Million Industry in Maryland


Read it, in less than 2 years, its a 77 million dollar industry.

Most of the jurisdictions included the speed camera revenue (including the contractor's fee) as part of their 'total revenue' reported to the Comptroller and used that to compute the maximum 10% they were allowed to retain. If the amount of revenue earned is modest this has only a small effect. However in the case of Forest Heights and Chevy Chase the effect was huge: Forest Height in particular had more revenue from speed camera than from all other sources, meaning that the 10% they were permitted to retain actually represented increasing their budget without speed camera revenue by 22.13%. This way of measuring budget size also permitted the town of Brentwood from paying any revenue to the Comptroller under this rule.

In addition 'expenses' were not defined by the state law. Chevy Chase in particular cited 72% of their speed camera revenue as an expense, largely because they had shifted regular police salaries into the 'expenses' of the safe speed budget, declaring over $360,000 worth of police salaries as expenses of the speed camera program. Forest Heights also appears to have a larger than normal portion of 'expenses', declaring expenses which are approximately $270,000.00 above their contractor's fee : an amount equal to about10% of their non-speed camera funded budget. This means that all together Forest Heights used speed cameras to increase their budget by more than 30% beyond what it would have been without speed cameras.

 

[desertrat]

Maryland Speed Cameras: Speed Cameras Now a $77Million Industry in Maryland


Read it, in less than 2 years, its a 77 million dollar industry.

Now all they need to do is slowly increase the "fees" just like with registration and about everything else I can think of. They are like leeches.

 

[royhobie]

Now all they need to do is slowly increase the "fees" just like with registration and about everything else I can think of. They are like leeches.

Desertrat, you are exactly right!! That's what I'm afraid of. The only thing that may keep them from doing that is that more folks may decide it becomes worth their time to go to court. The sole purpose of why they are currently keeping it at 75 bucks, is their hope, "and desire", that folks will not want to spend their time taking the day off from work to appeal the ticket. In fact, my brother did exactly this. He was caught sitting behind a line of traffic that could not move due to a train crossing in Charles Co. The camera caught him. He just paid the $75.00. Didn't want to spend the time and effort to appeal it. This is exactly what the State, "and the contractor that administers the cameras hopes will occur the majority of the time.

 

[desertrat]

Desertrat, you are exactly right!! That's what I'm afraid of. The only thing that may keep them from doing that is that more folks may decide it becomes worth their time to go to court. The sole purpose of why they are currently keeping it at 75 bucks, is their hope, "and desire", that folks will not want to spend their time taking the day off from work to appeal the ticket. In fact, my brother did exactly this. He was caught sitting behind a line of traffic that could not move due to a train crossing in Charles Co. The camera caught him. He just paid the $75.00. Didn't want to spend the time and effort to appeal it. This is exactly what the State, "and the contractor that administers the cameras hopes will occur the majority of the time.

Thank you. Now no offense to your brother, but unless there is space for your car on the other side of the intersection you should not enter it. I don't care how green the light is. I guess he probably knows that now though.

 

[royhobie]

Maryland Speed Cameras: Speed Cameras Now a $77Million Industry in Maryland


Read it, in less than 2 years, its a 77 million dollar industry.

I know Maryland can't resist any way to tax us. But, this is crazy! Looks like OMALLEY found a new way to touch our wallet. Most folks get used to the typical 5 second amber cycle. I am confident, as in other areas, SHA will adjust some of our lights to 3 seconds. When folks are used to the 5 second cycle, this is all that is needed to catch them for the 75 bucks. Can you imagine 77 million in two years?! Good Lord!! Worse than I thought. Good job researching this!!

I'll be talking to the Commissioners within the next few days about this issue. I doubt they want to hear me. Especially the "Terrier". I'm certain they already have their mind set. "In the name of safety of course". Yeah, right! The Commissioners think they are going to get a piece of the pie and so does our Sheriff. So, where are their morals to do what is right by the people?

And course they will want to bring up the Commissioner's wife who was hit by someone who went through a traffic light. Well, if a person is going through a light for whatever reason; typcially some type of distraction, or thinking they may make it, they are going to do it anyhow. The difference here is a camera would have snapped a picture and the "registered owner" would have received a 75 dollar ticket. No points! If a police officer investigated, as he did in this case, a citation would be issued for running the light "which includes points "when issued by a police officer". I know, I issued tickets for this. Anyhow, when the camera already captures the violation, you can't have both issuing tickets for the same thing. This is "double jeporady". I wonder how they plan to get around that? I guess they plan to just pick which ticket they want the person to have. And then, you wonder how legal this is for the person that receives the ticket. The County already has an enforcement device at the intersection. Does the officer over rule the preexisting enforcement device? Good question for the courts. I suspect he probably would.

Anyhow, if there was a camera when she was hit, it would not have stopped the accident. The person would have simply got a ticket and the accident would still occur. If they are going to go through a light, a camera isn't going to stop them.

 

[glhs837]

What Roy said. These fees are carefully calculated, based on the camera industries previous experience in other states. They know the point where the fiscal pain outweighs the hassle of taking a day off. They have lots of experience in being voted out of places, so they know how much is too much.

I think its either 15 or 13 places so far these things have faced a public vote, and they have lost every time. Very few on a state level, since it's very hard to organize a statewide level of resistance. And the camera companies have a lot of tricks to prevent legal action to ban them. The trick is to bring it to a vote, usually through a referendum. Like a leech sensing salt, they get all riled up when folks organize against them.

One executive of I think ACS actually joined a local forum like this one and pretended to be a local who supported cameras. They form AstroTurf support groups on Facebook, fully fund them, including pricey TV and print ads, usually using a local shill like a police chief, or well meaning family members of a traffic accident.

 

[letmetellyou]

Desertrat, you are exactly right!! That's what I'm afraid of. The only thing that may keep them from doing that is that more folks may decide it becomes worth their time to go to court. The sole purpose of why they are currently keeping it at 75 bucks, is their hope, "and desire", that folks will not want to spend their time taking the day off from work to appeal the ticket. In fact, my brother did exactly this. He was caught sitting behind a line of traffic that could not move due to a train crossing in Charles Co. The camera caught him. He just paid the $75.00. Didn't want to spend the time and effort to appeal it. This is exactly what the State, "and the contractor that administers the cameras hopes will occur the majority of the time.

Your brother shouldn't have been in the intersection unless he was able to clear it. What type of a-hole goes into the intersection when there is traffic in front of them. That's one of the most inconsiderate things a driver could do. No regard to the cross traffic. He's so important that he will block those that are not blocked by traffic. He's a douche and deserved the ticket.

 

[letmetellyou]

I know Maryland can't resist any way to tax us. But, this is crazy! Looks like OMALLEY found a new way to touch our wallet. Most folks get used to the typical 5 second amber cycle. I am confident, as in other areas, SHA will adjust some of our lights to 3 seconds. When folks are used to the 5 second cycle, this is all that is needed to catch them for the 75 bucks. Can you imagine 77 million in two years?! Good Lord!! Worse than I thought. Good job researching this!!

I'll be talking to the Commissioners within the next few days about this issue. I doubt they want to hear me. Especially the "Terrier". I'm certain they already have their mind set. "In the name of safety of course". Yeah, right! The Commissioners think they are going to get a piece of the pie and so does our Sheriff. So, where are their morals to do what is right by the people?

And course they will want to bring up the Commissioner's wife who was hit by someone who went through a traffic light. Well, if a person is going through a light for whatever reason; typcially some type of distraction, or thinking they may make it, they are going to do it anyhow. The difference here is a camera would have snapped a picture and the "registered owner" would have received a 75 dollar ticket. No points! If a police officer investigated, as he did in this case, a citation would be issued for running the light "which includes points "when issued by a police officer". I know, I issued tickets for this. Anyhow, when the camera already captures the violation, you can't have both issuing tickets for the same thing. This is "double jeporady". I wonder how they plan to get around that? I guess they plan to just pick which ticket they want the person to have. And then, you wonder how legal this is for the person that receives the ticket. The County already has an enforcement device at the intersection. Does the officer over rule the preexisting enforcement device? Good question for the courts. I suspect he probably would. No idiot. Why would a cop issue a ticket if they see a car go through a light with a camera. If that did happen, the driver would be smart to pay the non-point ticket, then going to the states attorney's office with that ticket and get the case dismissed. No court, and saves us overtime for a police officer to have to appear in court!

Anyhow, if there was a camera when she was hit, it would not have stopped the accident. The person would have simply got a ticket and the accident would still occur. If they are going to go through a light, a camera isn't going to stop them.

I am going to be talking to the commissioners and sheriff and telling them how much I support these camera's and pointing them in the direction of these forums which shows most people want them.

 

[bcp]

I would like to take just a moment if I might, to thank those Maryland residents, and visitors that care enough to contribute to our economy in this way.
Your concern for the budget is without doubt keeping the taxes from going up even more.

I wish I could afford to pay the extra to help out CASA, but right now I cant, so I am limited to doing the speed limit.

again, thank you all so very much.

 

[glhs837]

I am going to be talking to the commissioners and sheriff and telling them how much I support these camera's and pointing them in the direction of these forums which shows most people want them.

Hmm, you will? Why do you support them? Are you ignoring the facts that I have posted? Are there other facts you would like to produce to support your thoughts on them? And what part of these threads lead you to believe that most citizens support them? Seems like most of folks who were supporters stopped supporting them once they were given enough facts.

 

[letmetellyou]

Hmm, you will? Why do you support them? Are you ignoring the facts that I have posted? Are there other facts you would like to produce to support your thoughts on them? And what part of these threads lead you to believe that most citizens support them? Seems like most of folks who were supporters stopped supporting them once they were given enough facts.

Yes, I don't care about the facts you posted. I have been driving in the district since they got the red light and speed camera's. I haven't gotten a ticket and would like SMC to have the revenue they generate.

 

[glhs837]

That's nice. So you admit it's about revenue, not about safety? Will you mention that in your meetings with the BOCC and the Sheriff?

 

[letmetellyou]

Hmm, you will? Why do you support them? Are you ignoring the facts that I have posted? Are there other facts you would like to produce to support your thoughts on them? And what part of these threads lead you to believe that most citizens support them? Seems like most of folks who were supporters stopped supporting them once they were given enough facts.

Oh, no. Safety is paramount!

 

[glhs837]

Yes, I don't care about the facts you posted. I have been driving in the district since they got the red light and speed camera's. I haven't gotten a ticket and would like SMC to have the revenue they generate.

Just to capture this, I love it

 

[letmetellyou]

Just to capture this, I love it

Of course! Why would I care about the facts you posted? They obviously are from people who have an agenda. Just because you post them and call them facts, doesn't mean they are legitimate.

 

[glhs837]

Of course! Why would I care about the facts you posted? They obviously are from people who have an agenda. Just because you post them and call them facts, doesn't mean they are legitimate.

Ah, but I will choose the facts produced by folks without a profit motive before those produced by those who stand to profit from twisting things. If you have information pointing up my information as being false, send it out. see if it can stand the light of day.

I keep asking the supporters of these thing to post information to bolster their case, but it never seems to happen. So, unless you can produce other sources of information, your disputation of the information I have posted doesn't hold much weight.

Like a kid telling a parent "Aint SO!!!!", you gotta have more than that, or folks just wont believe you.

 

[dave1959]

Of course! Why would I care about the facts you posted? They obviously are from people who have an agenda. Just because you post them and call them facts, doesn't mean they are legitimate.

Don't beat , g..... does'nt care. He IS one of the people who have an agenda. He is dragging you into this discussion by continually citing information that he has no first hand information about, just re-posting stuff that he reads by other people who have the same agenda.

 

[letmetellyou]

Ah, but I will choose the facts produced by folks without a profit motive before those produced by those who stand to profit from twisting things. If you have information pointing up my information as being false, send it out. see if it can stand the light of day.

I keep asking the supporters of these thing to post information to bolster their case, but it never seems to happen. So, unless you can produce other sources of information, your disputation of the information I have posted doesn't hold much weight.

Like a kid telling a parent "Aint SO!!!!", you gotta have more than that, or folks just wont believe you.

There was no profit for the people who produced your "facts"? They were working for free? Seriously? Everybody has an agenda buddy, grow up that is the way life is.

 

[chernmax]

Of course! Why would I care about the facts you posted? They obviously are from people who have an agenda. Just because you post them and call them facts, doesn't mean they are legitimate.

So when you talk with the so called commissioners and sheriff and show them this thread (post), does it now make what you're saying Legitimate??? Is this forum FACTUAL???

 

[letmetellyou]

So when you talk with the so called commissioners and sheriff and show them this thread (post), does it now make what you're saying Legitimate???

Do you really think my name is letmetellyou?