As public officials nationwide debate the legality of cameras aiming to shut down red-light runners, they might learn a lesson or two from West Palm Beach, Fla., Mayor Lois Frankel: Be careful what you vote for, and watch your back.
Otherwise, you might encounter a headline like this: “Smile, Mayor Lois Frankel, you’re caught on your own red-light camera!” which is the label on Jose Lambiet’s Page2Live column at palmbeachpost.com.
Lambiet obtained footage of the alleged mayoral faux pas from the website of
American Traffic Solutions, the private company whose cameras are used to issue tickets for red runners.
The gossip columnist notes an additional angle in the case of Frankel, who recently took an image bruising when a police officer stopped her but let her go for speeding in a school zone and who also received a warning during the grace period before the law went into effect.
“But here’s the kicker: Herhoner has yet to pay her fine!” Lambiet crows.
The red-light cameras have sparked debate nationwide, as some opponents say they infringe on privacy, others argue that they’re just fundraising ploys for governments, and proponents say there oughta be a way to stop the scofflaws — and this is it.
More than 400 cities nationwide are said to employ the cameras, but several states have banned them and referendum pushes against the cameras are in process in others.
Although West Palm Beach passed its law, other Florida cities have held off because of legality concerns. Those worries ended Thursday — in Florida, anyway — when Gov. Charlie Crist signed a law making the red-light traps legal, effective July 1, overriding objections from the American Automobile Association and others.
To read Jose Lambiet’s full report at Page2Live —
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