Council to Consider Legal Action Against Red-Light Camera Company

In response to recent news that American Traffic Solutions continued to collect data while its red-light cameras were thought to be in the off mode at three Murrieta intersections, the Murrieta City Council will ponder whether to sue the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company.

Councilman Randon Lane on Tuesday requested a future discussion on the possibility of a lawsuit after the Council listened to public comments made by many who oppose the red-light cameras.

The cameras were shut down Dec. 14 following a majority vote by Murrieta residents in November.  

However, ATS on April 11 announced its sensors had still been operating at the three intersections—Murrieta Hot Springs and Whitewood roads, Murrieta Hot Springs and Margarita roads and Clinton Keith Road and Nutmeg Street—enabling the cameras to collect data. The company claimed cit-able incidences of red-light running had nearly doubled since the cameras were disabled.

“The City Council gave direction to have the cameras shut off and that was our understanding of what was going to happen,” Lane said. “The cameras would be shut off until the court case was brought to the court. As many of you know...that wasn’t done.”

Of the three other council members present—Mayor Rick Gibbs was absent due to his trip to China—Councilman Alan Long was first to consent to a future discussion. Long said he was “appalled” when he learned data was still being collected.

“A correction: I’m not appalled, I’m flat out angry that a company contracted by the city, that was asked by the city to take down the cameras or turn them off, completely disregarded our request,” Long said. “And I am especially so angry, because it was such a contentious controversial subject matter, that they suspiciously released the statistics so close to the judge’s order.”

Council agreed to discuss their options at their next meeting, though because it is a legal matter the topic must be discussed during closed session.

There is another decision yet to be made about the cameras.

In light of the April 5 ruling by Riverside County Superior Court Judge Daniel Ottolia that Measure N was not an enforceable ballot initiative because traffic matters are the state of California’s jurisdiction, City Council must decide whether to keep or permanently remove the cameras.

Council gave consensus to bring the issue back for public discussion and a possible vote at its Tuesday, June 4 meeting.

Although ongoing litigation surrounding the matter was discussed behind closed doors during this week’s meeting, no decision was asked for or required, according to City Attorney Leslie Devaney.

“All cameras are off and all sensors are off,” Devaney said. “There can be no change to that status quo until there is a future noticed public meeting by Council.”

Many who showed up Tuesday night urged Council to follow the will of the majority of voters when the time comes.

Murrieta resident Edward Faunce, who is a practicing attorney, said he was opposed to the red-light cameras because of an apparent divisiveness it has created.

“I think it does tremendous damage between the community and the Council,” Faunce said.

Others said if the city were to adjust the timing of yellow lights by one second, the accidents it was trying to prevent with the cameras would decrease on their own.

“If the city really wants to save one life, change the yellow lights,” said local activist Diana Serafin, who was a vocal proponent of the ballot initiative to remove the cameras. “They can be set to six seconds, which is the federal standard...Extending the yellow lights by one second extends the safety of our citizens.”

A few Temecula residents also turned out to support their Murrieta neighbors in the fight to permanently ban the cameras.

“One of the marvelous things about our government is it is ‘We the People,’” said George Rombach of Temecula. “...One of your residents had the nerve to follow their rights...They have spoken, now listen.”