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TECHNOLOGY: City evaluating camera vendors

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The Rochester Police Department is evaluating red-light camera enforcement systems from four vendors. | In a briefing to City Council members last week, Executive Deputy Chief George Markert said that the cameras will record images of violators, which will then be evaluated by a technician, because some situations require a judgment call. For instance, a driver making a left turn while a light is yellow could get caught in the middle of the intersection after the light turns red. | The images will be turned over to the RPD for final approval before tickets are issued. | The city can hire camera enforcement vendors for use of the cameras only, or for a full turnkey package, which includes everything from taking the image to collecting the fine. | Drivers will have an opportunity to appeal the fine. | A video of the Mt. Hope Avenue and Elmwood Avenue intersection shown by Markert demonstrated that the cameras would have caught 12 violators in just a single hour. | "We're going to make a lot of money," Council President Gladys Santiago said. | The RPD will meet with vendors later this month.

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Doug Hand said on Jul. 24, 2009 at 4:44pm

It is interesting to see some honesty from the powers that be. Quote: "We're going to make a lot of money," Council President Gladys Santiago said. No mention of making people safer, decreasing costs due to accidents, etc. Is it possible that increased revenue is the main goal of the cameras?
Bob Smith of WXXI interviewed Governor Paterson and the governor made a similar statement concerning receiving money for the program being more important than any civil/privacy issues.
I believe the funds are coming from the federal government. Has anyone looked at the federal budget lately? Where exactly is the money coming from again? Are we using borrowed money to fund a system that no local representative requested and that we have to research where we would even use the system?

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