A disturbing story crossed my way this morning and made me think. Bucks to private cronies.
So, if you or I are ticketed for some sort of traffic infraction, then a private entity gets a piece of the prize? That is not a good idea.
It sucks.
City officials say they aren't making money off the red-light cameras which were installed in 2001. A study showed that crashes are reduced by 30 percent within four years when cameras are installed. Last year, Portland issued 10,808 photo red-light tickets. Affiliated Computer Services, which manages the system, makes $17,000 a month, plus $18 to $27 a ticket.
Sure, if a company installs cameras to catch those running red lights, then we are all grateful. Fine, if that company maintains that system to keep it up to date and functional, then who can complain?
But, if that company gets a piece of the action, a pile of loot for "catching" the rest of us driving around, then we have problems. Then we wonder who runs this pop-stand. Then we wonder whether that company's "campaign contributions" have given them the permission to steal from us all, whether their Citizens United "speech" has purchased the power to raid our bank accounts.
Screw this project. These "private sector" vultures will game the system to steal from us all. Stop it.