Red Light Camera Bill: Why You Should Be Very Worried.

Lafayette Parish, Louisiana  officials suspended the red light camera program when they learned that two lobbyists representing camera company Redflex were to receive 3.2% of the company’s take on the money-making camera scheme. This ought to cause alarm in the Connecticut legislature as it considers authorizing certain municipalities to impose the red light cameras on motorists. This has the potential for abuse and corruption. While state ethics laws prohibit this sort of kickback lobbying. Municipal lobbying is largely undisclosed and unregulated in Connecticut. The legislation pending in Connecticut includes no safeguards against this abuse. Perhaps that’s an attraction to some proponents of the bill, but it ought to alarm all others. The potential for corruption is staggering.

The pattern of lobbying appears to have attracted the attention of Federal investigators. In addition, Arizona officials determined that all fines Redflex imposed in Lafayette in 2007 and 2008 contained falsifications.

Citizens in Lafayette Parish have challenged the constitutionality of red light cameras in their community.