Red-Light Cameras Still Collecting Data at Murrieta Intersections

The number of drivers running red lights at three Murrieta intersections has nearly doubled since the cameras went dark Dec. 14, 2012 following a voter-approved ban on red-light cameras, according to a statement Thursday from American Traffic Solutions, the company who operates the cameras.

Comparing two 14-week time periods—the first 14 weeks of 2013 and the same time period in 2012—the company stated that its analysis found total red-light running events increased from 940 with cameras in operation to 1,757 with cameras disabled.

"ATS analyzed red-light running events at the city’s three intersections with red-light cameras and found events increased 86.9 percent..." wrote Charles Territo, senior vice president of public affairs for ATS.

"This change is consistent with what typically occurs in other communities once red-light cameras are turned off," Territo wrote. "With cameras in operational, drivers changed their behavior. This data shows just how much of a red-light running deterrent they were for drivers in Murrieta."

The cameras were disabled so no images were captured, according to ATS; however because the cameras remained in place, the sensors that detected potential red-light running events are still operational.

City officials claimed they were not aware, however, that the cameras were still collecting data, The Press-Enterprise reported.

City Manager Rick Dudley told the newspaper he was "livid" and that he "had no idea," adding that he was going to order the cameras be completely shut down within 24 hours.

In am email to Patch late Thursday, Dudley wrote: "We most definitely did NOT know they kept the sensors active and were collecting data."

Dudley confirmed the city asked ATS Thursday afternoon to shut the cameras down "immediately."

"It is my expectation that they will be shut down immediately, if they haven't already," Dudley said.

Murrieta City Council is scheduled to meet in closed session Tuesday, April 16 to discuss the ruling.

"Currently the cameras are turned off and they are going to stay turned off until the City Council decides what they are going to do," City Attorney Jeffrey Morris previously told Patch.