The debate surrounding the constitutionality of red light cameras in Murrieta has continued to grow after a hearing held June 15 in Riverside Superior Court considered a Murrieta resident’s suit to remove the red light initiative from Novembers’ ballot.
Murrieta has three red light cameras -- one at the intersection of Murrieta Hot Springs and Whitewood roads, one at Murrieta Hot Springs and Margarita roads, and another at Clinton Keith Road and Nutmeg Street.
If passed by voters in November, the measure would ban red light cameras in the city.
But, a lawsuit filed earlier this month by Steve Flynn who is represented by the Sacramento-based law firm Bell, McAndrew and Hiltachk, would take the matter out of voters’ hands altogether.
Murrieta has three red light cameras — one at the intersection of Murrieta Hot Springs and Whitewood roads, one on Murrieta Hot Springs and Margarita roads, and another at Clinton Keith Road and Nutmeg Street.
Flynn was instrumental in getting the red light cameras in place when he worked as a Public Safety and Traffic commissioner.
Murrieta resident Diana Serafin opposes the red light cameras and initially filed the petition to have the measure placed on November’s ballot banning red light cameras in the city, citing the expense of operation and a violation of civil rights.
Local residents are also torn between Flynn and Serafin’s complaints.
Murrieta resident Alex Pena said, “If the lights make people more cautious I support them. I tend to be more cautious at the intersection of Murrieta Hot Springs and Margarita.”
“I had one of those red light tickets,” said Wendey Kimberling. “I felt the light was still yellow when I got ticketed.”
Kimberling said she does not trust the red light cameras for accuracy.
“I think we need to get rid of them or only have them at large intersections,” said Tina Goodwin.
U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, wrote a letter last week urging Riverside County Registrar of Voters Kari Verjil to defend voters’ rights.
“The voter initiative process has a long and proud tradition in our form of government,” Calvert wrote. “Any efforts to disenfranchise or limit the democratic rights of our citizens must not and cannot be allowed to stand.”
The law firm Bell, McAndrew and Hiltachk alleges the city is overextending its powers and would violate the California Constitution.
The red light issue continues to grow. Bob Kowell, who led the 2010 effort for Murrieta Measures C, D and E, filed complaint last week with the California Fair Political Practices Commission against Flynn and his attorney.
The complaint accuses Flynn and his lawyer of violating the Political Reform Act by failing to form a political action committee to get the initiative stopped.
Where do you stand on this issue? Are red light cameras a necessary safety measure or a constitutional hazard? Tell us in the comments section below.
Michelle Mears-Gerst is a local writer and regular contributor to SWRNN.
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The red light cameras actually scare me! I’m very sensitive to lights and wear sunglasses whenever I’m outside. A flashing light or strobe can evoke a migraine headache for me – and for many other people they can actually induce a seizure. I worry about the bright flash of light because obviously anyone can set one off in an intersection and unknowingly create health issues for others. I’m just waiting for some poor individual to suffer a seizure as a result of a red light episode and sue the city!
(Karen Collins)
You can’t be serious. Really?.. That is your issue?! Some people never cease to amaze me.
The redlight camera’s must go! The voter’s have spoken.
Keep the cameras and we’ll keep the roads safe. I live one block from a red light camera near a school and have never gotten a ticket. Speeding is the number-one problem at that intersection by far. By driving defensively and obeying the speed limit, tickets can be easily avoided.
YOu know “murrieta Citizen” Do you really “live there????
Just wonder. Maybe you do, but maybe you don’t. (If you live there you are of course entitled to your opinion)
I have seen the these “post” by the scamera side of “dont’ speed or run red light” comment in various iterations before (one just yesterday). Too often to think it is just a “coincidence”.
The theme is too similar. (and why even bring it up the “speeding” on a ARTICLE ON RLC??)
I bring this up for A ATS EMPLOYEE PULLED A STUNT PRENTENDING TO BE A LOCAL in WA STATE! http://www.banthecams.org/Red-Light-Camera-News/ats-astro-turf-busted-by-local-paper-meet-reader-w-howard-undercover-traffic-cam-exec.html or http://heraldnet.com/article/20110517/BLOG48/705179793/-1/news01
Quote: “Kroske pitched Mukilteo on the cameras. He recently was in Bellingham, suggesting a similar arrangement. He’s been the public face of American Traffic Solutions in arranging camera contracts in Washington.
We wrote him Tuesday asking about the posts. Why not simply stand behind your product, out in the open?”
I DON”T HIDE WHO I AM UNLIKE ATS KROSKE DID!
http://www.banthecams.org
Red light cameras are a revenue system, not a safety system. They also violate our constitutional rights because they are based on a premise that you are “guilty until proven innocent”, rather than on our cherished principle of “innocent until proven guilty”.
There is a terribly simple solution, but the Murietta Council’s cowardly resolution to “remain neutral” says they don’t want to do this. Simply have the vote on the ballot as a non-binding advisory vote AND have the Council pledge in advance they will respect the will of the people.
James C. Walker, National Motorists Association, Ann Arbor, MI
Stop your crying folks. Just follow the traffic laws, don’t drive like a moron and pay attention. It’s really not that complicated. Don’t block intersections, actually STOP at the red light before making that right turn, and if you have time to stop when it’s yellow, do it. I’ve been ticketed before and yeah, it sucks, but u gotta deal with it. Do the crime, pay the fine. For those of you that seem to think that every picture taken is an automatic ticket, you’re wrong. Do the research. There is usually always video to accompany the image taken and ALL incidents are reviewed before a ticket is even issued.
Always looking to blame others for your mistakes… for those of you that are parents, it’s no wonder young adults nowadays are turning out the way they do, with that mentality. Be responsible for YOUR actions!
Here’s an idea… don’t run red lights.
In response to Chris Sr. and to confirm Karen Collins response.
Obviously you have never had or known someone who has a seizure disorder. Karen is exactly right. I have a family member who does. Let me tell you lights do cause seizures in some people who have seizure disorders. I can’t tell you how many times we have had to leave restaurants and other events because of light flashes,strobe lights etc. It can be terrifying for all involved. So yes a red light camera could with out a doubt cause a seizure.So please know your facts before you judge.