House committee approves bill to stop red light cameras
Here's a Chronicle story on a state House committee approving legislation that would end Houston's planned red light camera revenue stream:
Under Texas law, running a red light is a Class C misdemeanor that can only be regulated by the state, even though local governments are in charge of enforcement. In 2003, the House overwhelmingly voted not to allow cities to use cameras to issue criminal citations to red-light violators.
But state Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, R-Irving, inserted an amendment in the 2003 transportation bill giving cities the right to regulate transportation matters civilly or criminally.
Houston proposes to issue civil citations to red light violators caught by cameras.
Elkins' bill would eliminate the civil loophole.
We posted on this discrepancy before. The problem is that if a driver ran a red light at an intersection without a camera, it would be a criminal violation. At intersections with red light cameras, it would be a civil violation.
HPD Chief Harold Hurtt appeared before the committee (no word on if he was in uniform) and came away an unhappy police chief:
"I did not recommend this as a revenue enhancement for the city,'' Hurtt said. "We want to use cameras in the city of Houston to protect and save lives.''
Oh yes, it's all about safety:
Houston is expected to start installing intersection cameras this spring, and has budgeted to collected nearly $700,000 in fines by the end of June.
Or not.
UPDATE: During newsbreaks on KTRH-740 this afternoon, it was reported that the committee meeting, where Chief Hurtt was testifying, was rather contentious. KTRK-13 has some details:
Both [state Rep. Gary] Elkins and Chief Hurtt testified in front of the Urban Affairs Committee Tuesday morning, with the police chief facing tough criticism.
State Representative Kevin Bailey said, "Your department is one that had a leaking roof in the crime lab for seven years and couldn't fix it. So, right off I wonder, if you can't fix a leaking roof, how are you going to run this program efficiently?"
[snip]
Elkins said, "Let's just be honest. Let's expose this for what it is. It's the biggest money generator in the history of the planet. We're for public safety. We just think there's a better way, an engineering solution."
Chief Hurtt insisted, "This was not recommended as a revenue enhancement device for the city."
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 02/15/05 03:55 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Sphere | Comments (14)
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