- Pasadena drivers can now avoid that gut-wrenching feeling of being caught in the flash of a red-light camera, wondering if they made it through the intersection in time.
City officials decided not to renew a contract with American Traffic Systems Inc. for the city's seven red-light cameras, citing a lack of enforcement from Los Angeles County courts, time wasted by Pasadena police officers and questions about the cameras' effectiveness in improving traffic safety.
Additionally, the program — while never expected to bring in a lot of money — is running at a $4,487 deficit, the Pasadena Sun reported.
Janka said the main reason for killing the cameras is that they waste law enforcement resources.
In a month one officer issues as many traffic citations, including for red-light running, as do all of the cameras, according to a staff report.
"A lot of time is spent going to court dealing with challenges," Janka said. "It makes more sense to put more money into the Police Department, which is more effective."The city of Los Angeles discontinued its red-light camera program after identifying enforcement and equipment problems.
Red Light Cameras Dead
No, not here yet. Too much money involved here with the connected contracts. We're talking about Pasadena:
Gee, money into an effective Police Department? Amazing.