News Apr 7, 2010 at 10:48 am

PDX Gets More Red Light & Speed Cameras

Matt Davis
Back to article

Comments

1
said Vincent Kingsley Park, from ACS. "Once we use the information to issue the citation, the database is clear. Once we have issued the citation then the information is deleted."

Good. Then you should have zero problem with putting literature disallowing you from using the data for anything else in the contract. AMIRITE?
Jackattak on April 7, 2010 at 10:55 AM Report this
2
URRITE... death to ACS
somewhereinbetween on April 7, 2010 at 10:58 AM Report this
3
Lots of new tickets to close them budget holes. Maybe they could put parking meters in people's driveways. Think of the revenue!
Blabby on April 7, 2010 at 11:11 AM Report this
4
"This council is big on two-fers," he said. "So if the speed camera showed that someone was texting, or on a cell phone, could we also cite them for that, too?"
Figures Saltzman is a double dipper.
Abusive on April 7, 2010 at 11:18 AM Report this
5
The only Mission Creep in City Hall is Sam Adams
on April 7, 2010 at 11:32 AM Report this
6
Regardless of the revenue this may or may not create; do red light and speed cameras have any demonstrable affect on improving the public safety?
Graham on April 7, 2010 at 12:18 PM Report this
7
I don't think even a secondary purpose of these things is "enhancing public safety", Graham. I've always looked at them as cost savings first (one less cop getting paid for holding a radar gun and one more cop actually busting real criminals) and municipal revenue generators second.
Jackattak on April 7, 2010 at 12:23 PM Report this
8
Some cities have discontinued the use of red light cameras because the incidence of rear-end crashes (quit laughing Humpy) rose very abruptly, cause many injuries.
ujfoyt on April 7, 2010 at 2:05 PM Report this
9
The discussion on these cameras always boils down to the money which is unfortunate. my experience with them is that they drastically alter driver behavior. people abandon the i can get through that light attitude and reduce their speed because they do not want the ticket. It is no different than if there were a cop sitting at the light, except we don't have to pay a cop to sit on the busiest corners anymore.
Portable on April 7, 2010 at 3:04 PM Report this
10
It sounds like the management of the system has taken reasonable steps to ensure that the information is not used for the wrong purpose. Most systems take a photo of the rear license plate and not the front of the car or the driver. As for use of cell phones or texting, there is so much distracted driving going on that it would be fine with me if there was a camera method adopted to ticket cell phone use or texting while driving.
Charles32 on April 7, 2010 at 3:20 PM Report this
11
I am gald that they are using these cameras, though perhaps they should have used some other company that won't create such uneasiness or they at least need to have an iron-clad contract to prevent abuse.
rvrrat8 on April 7, 2010 at 3:30 PM Report this
12
I like the fact that they are using the cameras for what they are intended for...speeders and red light runners. If you are texting while driving, although just as dangerous, should be up to the discretion of a police officer to ticket. Bottom line, people just need to pay attention to driving.
harpua78 on April 7, 2010 at 3:45 PM Report this
13
Wait 'til you all find out what percentage of the ticket revenue goes to the company installing and maintaining the cameras versus how much goes into the city's coffers.
askmefirst on April 7, 2010 at 3:50 PM Report this
14
I think mission creep is an excuse for not wanting the government to enforce traffic laws, what could be wrong with enforcing the traffic laws we have, they exist to keep us safe - and revenue, either from cops on the street to cameras, are just a way to force reckless drivers to play by the same rules as the rest of us! I bet the only ones complaining are the habitual light runners and speeders, and they are just angry they're less likely to get away with making bad decisions on the road. I think the cameras will make them think again and that will make us all safer!
Trailblazer72 on April 7, 2010 at 4:06 PM Report this
15
Giddieup
hubbity on April 7, 2010 at 4:15 PM Report this
16
This isn't about mission creep ... This is about enforcing traffic laws and keeping people safe. Studies have shown that using red light cameras reduce the number of accidents. They also make drivers think twice before running a red light.
DogLover on April 7, 2010 at 4:40 PM Report this
17
We all know that these systems are going to be common place accross the country.

They have proven to reduce property damage and personal injury. So why not just relax about the whole thing and obey the law.
We all know that these systems are going to be common place accross the country.

They have proven to reduce property damage and personal injury. So why not just relax about the whole thing and obey the law.
cubuffalo on April 7, 2010 at 9:45 PM Report this
18
What scares me more than red light cameras are the people commenting on this article! Death threats? Rear end accidents? Check the research and the other cities that have these cameras- they reduce accidents! If you don't want to pay the fine- then don't do the crime.
boaboa on April 7, 2010 at 10:14 PM Report this
19
Love this! I hate speeders/cars in general. I reported a Tri-Met driver (45 Garden Home) yesterday (and Tri-Met ignored me, of course)
on April 7, 2010 at 10:33 PM Report this
20
"Wait 'til you all find out what percentage of the ticket revenue goes to the company installing and maintaining the cameras versus how much goes into the city's coffers."

And then.... So what? If people follow the limits/signs they have nothing to worry about. These are heavy machines traveling very fast, I'd be happy if it reduced speeds at any price.
on April 7, 2010 at 10:38 PM Report this
21
Did somebody order a red-light camera douchebag salesman from Central Casting, or is Vincent for real?
bruce123456 on April 8, 2010 at 9:53 AM Report this
22
"Once we use the information to issue the citation, the database is clear. Once we have issued the citation then the information is deleted."

Sounds fair to me. And if the cameras can do anything to make people drive a little safer, I think they should be used more frequently, especially in areas where children are present like schools and parks.
mamabear123 on April 8, 2010 at 9:56 AM Report this
23
The whole purpose of these cameras is to keep the streets safer, and fine those who break the law, not to hunt down loan violators. Give me a break.
gardener on April 8, 2010 at 11:39 AM Report this
24
Cameras are a blessing in disguise. It's easy to point at the money, but you can't argue with the statistics and prevention.
sunnyday on April 9, 2010 at 12:30 PM Report this
25
7.5 million dollars to install a bunch of digital cameras? And why does it go to companies like ACS or IBM which have most of its employees in offshore countries. No wonder the tax payer cannot trust the government anymore. :-(

Secondly, whatever happened to the buy local mantra of Portland? I bet the vibrant techie community in Portland could have done the same work cheaper, smarter and more innovatively.
on May 1, 2010 at 3:01 PM Report this

Please wait...

Comments are closed.

Commenting on this item is available only to members of the site. You can sign in here or create an account here.


Add a comment
Preview
Posted by (your name here)

By posting this comment, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use.

More In News

UPDATED: Power Restored For Most Households Amid Severe Winter Weather
Commissioner Rubio Faces Pushback for Proposal to Support Portland Street Response with Clean Energy Funds
STREET VIEW: “The Bike Lanes That Drive Everybody Crazy”
Fire at Portland Mercado Temporarily Closes All Businesses
Portland Activists Stage Sit-In at Rep. Blumenauer’s Office In Hopes He'll Support a Cease-Fire in Gaza
"We Don't Cross Picket Lines": Benson High School Construction Workers Walk Off The Job In Solidarity With Striking Teachers

Editors' Picks

POP QUIZ PDX: Sassy-Ass Trivia About Portland's Biggest Buildings, Biggest Liars, and Biggest Waste of Money (Hint: It's the Cops)
Why Are Portland's Leaders Opposing Proposed Charter Reforms?
THE TRASH REPORT: Twitter's Demise, My Eventual Demise (by Falling Satellite), and Oprah Builds the Wall
Multnomah County Board Approves Budget Proposal to Fund Rental Assistance, Defying Wheeler's Demand
THE TRASH REPORT: Barbie Makes the Worst People Mad, Celebrity Divorce Updates/Predictions, and Marine Apex Predator Vengeance
Five Months Down, 20 to Go: Checking In on Portland’s Charter Reform Makeover
Portland Mercury
is a proud member of the media network
Masthead Ad Info & Rates Jobs at Portland Mercury Contact Privacy Policy Terms of Use Takedown Policy
Support Portland Mercury
All contents © Index Newspapers LLC
PO Box 86208, Portland, OR 97286