In this week’s TheNewspaper.com Roundup!
–Feds help promote RI Ticket Quotas–
–OH Supremes rescue speed cams AGAIN–
–DE Judge denies right to appeal Photo Tickets—
Friday, December 15, 2017
Federal Cash Promoted Rhode Island Ticket Quotas
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) last month warned Rhode Island police chiefs against the use of ticket quotas that are illegal under state law. The civil rights group began working on the issue after a WJAR television investigative report found evidence that police were ordered to issue a specified number of tickets in response to a federal grant program known in the state as Operation Blue Riptide. In July, the National Motorists Association asked the Trump administration’s new secretary of Transportation to put an end to the quota-driven federal program (view letter).
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Ohio Supreme Court Rescues Speed Cameras Once Again
A fractured coalition of Ohio Supreme Court justices on Wednesday overruled the General Assembly’s attempt at compromise limits on the use of red-light cameras and speed cameras in the state. Rather than provide reasoning for their decision, the high court merely referred challenges to camera programs in Springfield and Toledo to the ruling handed down in July regarding a challenge to the photo ticketing program in the city of Dayton.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Delaware Judge Denies Right To Appeal Photo Tickets
Innocent vehicle owners who receive red-light camera or speed camera tickets in Delaware have no recourse to challenge their fine in a court of law. New Castle County Court of Common Pleas Judge Sheldon K. Rennie decided last Thursday to deny the appeal of motorist Stanley C. Lowicki, an attorney, who received a photograph of his car from a private red-light camera contractor on May 18, 2017.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Pennsylvania: Audit Shows Motorist Cash Funds Lavish State Salaries
Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale on Thursday released the results of his investigation of the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s (PPA) use of cash collected from tolls, red-light camera citations and parking tickets. The report blasts the agency’s former executive director, Vincent J. Fenerty Jr, as an “unchecked tyrant.” On Sunday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking into improprieties in the red-light camera program that American Traffic Solutions (ATS) operates under a contract with the PPA.
Monday, December 11, 2017
France: Speed Cameras Spraypainted, Scorched
In Marnay-sur-Seine, France, a burning car was used to destroy the speed camera on the D619 on Saturday, L’Est Eclair reported. A similar fate befell the speed camera on the RN57 in La Cluse-et-Mijoux on Friday. According to L’Est Republicain, gasoline was poured on the device and ignited, though the damage was limited as heavy rain put out the fire. Pink spraypaint was used to disable the speed camera on the RD1075 in Saint-Martin-du-Mont on Thursday, Le Progres reported. This was the fourth attack in the past two weeks. In Le Merzer, two speed cameras were spraypainted black last week Sunday. According to Le Telegramme, the device that also had the initials BZH painted on the side has previously been painted green, pink, orange, red and white. The other, located on the RD9, had the tag line “Stop the money grab!”
