Legal Corner

Red Light Cameras: Legal or Unconstitutional?

Let's take a deeper look into this hot-button issue in Florida.

One of my favorite targets for my stories is my own father. He is the antithesis of an attorney. He never listens to a single thing I say. He will call me for legal advice. I will give him legal advice for free. He will then tell me that I am absolutely wrong and hang up on me. He is also getting older and his eyes are getting worse. He has trouble reading a menu and refuses to use glasses. Recently he gave me an envelope where there was a picture of him running a red light in a left-hand turn somewhere that I choose to keep anonymous. Attached was a ticket for $158, unless he contested the ticket. Now, I must brag a little bit: I have more than perfect vision: I see from 10 feet like most people see from 20 feet. To me it was clear the …

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Dawn Lawrence

2:35 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012

YES!...and Why on earth wasn't that done to begin with???? Where is the statewide petition? I'll take it everywhere I go...   more ›

Video: How Do Red Light Cameras Work?

American Traffic Solutions, the company that runs Gulfport's three red light cameras, launched a "How it Works" video to show you how the system works.

In February 2011, three intersection safety cameras or red light cameras were installed in different locations in the city. During the first 30 days, the cameras snapped photos and those caught running red lights received warnings. As of March 21, 2011, the cameras went "live" and the warning period ended. Within the first 30 days of issuing tickets, nearly 640 citations were issued. Running the light will cost you a $158 for the ticket.  American Traffic Solutions operates the cameras and systems from Arizona. The Gulfport Police Department pays $4,500 per month per camera. For more information on how the cameras and systems work, check out the step-by-step video released today from ATS. Click on this link to see download and watch the …

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As Red Light Camera Ban Fails Senate, Gulfport Program Considered a Success

After the state Senate failed legislation to outlaw red light cameras, city officials say they are moving forward with plans to accept bids from vendors to install and run cameras in Clearwater. Gulfport's three cameras have been live for months.

The state Senate failed legislation to outlaw red light cameras in its most recent session and city officials say they are moving forward with plans to accept bids from vendors to install and run cameras at two Clearwater intersections. The city's original Dec. 15, 2010 deadline was put on hold pending the legislative outcome as a bill that would repeal a law allowing the use of red light cameras circled the state Senate. During a lengthy legislative session though, the measure failed in the Senate and Clearwater officials say they are moving forward with an initiative to find out how much it would cost to install and run red light cameras in the city. Bidding for the project ended Tuesday. “We will hear oral presentations in late June and…

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Red Light Cameras Warning Period Ends, Now Citations Will be Issued

“I’m still shocked at how these people drive,” Officer A.J. Falconeri. Three intersections in Gulfport have safety cameras catching your vehicle’s every move.

Nearly 700 traffic violation “warnings” have been caught on camera at three Gulfport intersections within the past 30 days. The intersection safety cameras are placed at the following intersections: Each intersection with a camera has a sign warning the drivers of the cameras presence. Sgt. Michael Vandenberg says the camera at Gulfport Blvd S. & 58th St. S. has caught more violations than the other two combined. The goal of the cameras is to improve safety and decrease traffic and other violations. “It can only help, “ Vandenberg said. The system is a two-part process. The camera knows when to snap a photo based on the speed of a vehicle as it approaches the intersection. Wireless video detectors placed under the road read how fast a …

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5 Things to Know Today

Today is Friday March 18, 2011. Happy Friday everyone!

1) View and print the brochure for the Gulfport City Wide Yard Sale right here on Gulfport Patch.  If you want to pick up a copy they are available at the following locations in Gulfport:  The day of the event, Saturday March 19, brochures will be available at the Nautical Flea Market at the Gulfport Marina. 2) Congratulations to the Science Center of Pinellas County! The organization won the BizTech 2011 Best Collaboration Award last night. Officials submitted the Cyber Security Program for high school students and adult students. The inaugural BizTech Innovation Awards were hosted by the Tampa Bay Business Journal and the Tampa Bay Technology Forum. 3) Come out to the Gulfport Senior Center's Chat Room today at 2 p.m. at the Senior …