Battle Continues Over Red-Light Cameras
Lawsuit Seeks To Have Tickets Thrown Out
SAN DIEGO -- Hundreds of San Diegans are anxiously waiting to find out if their red light camera tickets will be dismissed.
For a fourth day, attorneys argued in court Tuesday, trying to get a judge to dismiss nearly 400 citations, 10News reported.
Three defense attorneys are representing 290 clients who recieved tickets from the red-light cameras.
Defense attorneys are calling for the city to dismantle the red-light photo enforcement program altogether, claiming that the system creates a conflict of interest with a private contractor who receives money from each ticket.
Lockheed Martin, who installed and operates the cameras, receives $70 from each $271 fee collected.
"Lockheed Martin is clearly using this as a revenue-generating device," defense attorney Christopher Plourd said. "I think the police department was extremely negligent in their operation of this system."
Lockheed Martin representatives claim that the system is fair, and that it is designed to stop people from running the lights and to make our intersections safer.
"We're looking to get our investment back, there's no question about that, but not to trick people in any way," Lockheed Martin Vice President Bob Landolt said.
According to 10News, the hearing is expected to last up to a week.
At three intersections, tickets were already dismissed after city attorneys alleged that Lockheed Martin improperly moved sensors in the streets that work with the cameras. Those intersections are:
City Of San Diego Camera Locations
College Area
Additional San Diego County Camera Locations
El Cajon
For a fourth day, attorneys argued in court Tuesday, trying to get a judge to dismiss nearly 400 citations, 10News reported.
Three defense attorneys are representing 290 clients who recieved tickets from the red-light cameras.
Defense attorneys are calling for the city to dismantle the red-light photo enforcement program altogether, claiming that the system creates a conflict of interest with a private contractor who receives money from each ticket.
Lockheed Martin, who installed and operates the cameras, receives $70 from each $271 fee collected.
"Lockheed Martin is clearly using this as a revenue-generating device," defense attorney Christopher Plourd said. "I think the police department was extremely negligent in their operation of this system."
Lockheed Martin representatives claim that the system is fair, and that it is designed to stop people from running the lights and to make our intersections safer.
"We're looking to get our investment back, there's no question about that, but not to trick people in any way," Lockheed Martin Vice President Bob Landolt said.
According to 10News, the hearing is expected to last up to a week.
At three intersections, tickets were already dismissed after city attorneys alleged that Lockheed Martin improperly moved sensors in the streets that work with the cameras. Those intersections are:
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Garnet Avenue and Ingraham Street
Mira Mesa Boulevard and Black Mountain Road
16th and F Streets
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College Avenue S/B to E/B Montezuma Road
El Cajon Boulevard W/B through 43rd Street
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A Street E/B to 163 Fwy (10 Street)
F Street W/B through 16th Street
Harbor Drive S/B to E/B Grape Street
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Aero Drive W/B to S/B Murphy Canyon Road
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Black Mountain Road S/B through Gemini Avenue
Black Mountain Road S/B to E/B Mira Mesa Boulvevard
Mira Mesa Boulevard E/B through Scranton Road
Miramar Road W/B through Camino Ruiz
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Garnet Avenue W/B through Ingraham Street
Garnet Avenue E/B to N/B Mission Bay Drive
Mission Boulevard S/B through Garnet Avenue
Mission Bay Drive N/B to W/B Grand Avenue
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Bernardo Center Drive N/B to W/B Rancho Bernardo Road
Carmel Mountain Road E/B to N/B Rancho Carmel Drive
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Palm Avenue E/B through Beyer Way
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Harbor Drive W/B through 32nd Street
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Imperial Avenue W/B through Euclid Avenue
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La Jolla Village Drive W/B to S/B Towne Centre Drive
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Broadway W/B through Mollison Avenue
Fletcher Parkway W/B to S/B Magnolia Avenue
Fletcher Parkway W/B to S/B Marshall Avenue
Fletcher Parkway N/B to W/B Navajo Road
Main Street W/B through Mollison Avenue
Washington Avenue W/B to S/B El Cajon Boulvevard
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Camino Del Norte E/B through Pomerado Road
Poway Road W/B through Community Road
Poway Road E/B to N/B Pomerado Road
Scripps Poway Parkway E/B through Pomerado Road
Ted Williams Parkway E/B to N/B Pomerado Road
Previous Stories:
- July 6, 2001: Testimony Resumes In Traffic Camera Case
- July 3, 2001: Pending Camera Tickets Thrown Out
- June 26, 2001: Study: Traffic Cameras Operate To Make Money
- June 14, 2001: Red Light Cameras Turned Off
- June 12, 2001: San Diegans Sue Maker Of Traffic Cameras
- June 5, 2001: Allegations Against Red Light Cameras Mount
- June 3, 2001: Red Light Camera Ticket Hotline Available
- May 31, 2001: Councilmember: Pull Plug On Red Light Cameras
- May 31, 2001: San Diego To Audit Red Light Photo Cameras
- May 30, 2001: Four Red Light Cameras May Be Inaccurate
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