Red Light Cameras Turned Off

Cameras To Remain Off Through Investigation

The controversial cameras at 19 stoplights in the City of San Diego have been turned off, pending completion of a study into their workings, and an attorney is filing suit to keep them off.

According to 10News, City Manager Michael Uberuaga ordered Friday for the devices to be deactivated. This does not include red light cameras in other cities within San Diego County, including Poway and El Cajon.

10News Talks To "Mr. Ticket" City Councilman Jim Madaffer says that his office has been flooded with complaints. "Why is it that the yellow lights are so short, while they're longer at intersections without the cameras?" Madaffer asked. "In reality, I don't think they're going through a red light. I think their going through a short yellow light," he said. Attorney Mitch Meahdy (pictured, right), who's known as "Mr. Ticket," told 10News that he was vindicated. "We're half-way there," Meahdy said. "The city has to take precautions when the integrity of the system is challenged and people's money and livelihood is at stake." Meahdy is planning to file a class action lawsuit Friday against the camera manufacturer, Lockheed Martin. Meahdy is also seeking an injunction to keep the city from turning the cameras back on. Meahdy hopes to force the city to pay back fines collected through use of the cameras. His lawsuit will claim that San Diegans were subject to false arrest and fraud, and that the lights and cameras were secretly manipulated to entrap drivers. Police officers previously discovered that the underground sensor loops at the following intersections had been moved by the private company that operates the cameras:

16th Street. & F Street
Mira Mesa Boulevard & Black Mountain Road
Ingraham Steet & Grand Avenue

Police Chief David Bejarano consequently called for an audit of all red light photo enforcement cameras in San Diego. Thousands of angry motorists have claimed that the timing of yellow lights at intersections with cameras appears to be different than intersections without cameras. Also, a congressional report issued last May found that San Diego issues more red light tickets and charges more in fines than anyplace else in the nation. While it was not immediately known whether cited motorists would have to pay the $271 fine, tickets from the three intersections initially in question are reportedly being dismissed. Here is a list of red light camera locations throughout the county, courtesy of PowayOnline.net: City Of San Diego Camera Locations College Area