Don't know why local media isn't putting this info on blast . . . I took my time with it but the details of this court case could have implications for Kansas City. Check it:
Red Light $cameras Struck down in the City of St. Louis
Money line:
Today Judge Mark Neill’s ruling in the Alexa Smith et al. v. City of St. Louis case was released. The ruling today upholds a preliminary ruling from May of 2011 and strikes down and renders void the City of St. Louis’s Red Light Camera Ordinance 66868.
So, what have we learned?
THE LEGALITY OF KANSAS CITY'S RED LIGHT CAMERAS MIGHT STILL BE IN PLAY!!!
An extra news tip . . . A vigilant TKC READER reminds us:
"Everyone should in the memo section of their check write in 'Protested Payment' then they could get their money back."
While this battle often boils down to politics and connections, it's still interesting given that this kind of legal fight shows how this nation is coping with the age of digital surveillance technology and the rights of the public.
Developing . . .
KC will change the law. The cameras are staying. Shut up.
ReplyDeleteTwo things:
ReplyDelete1. What -- no Tracy Ward photo? Ironic ... that skank's face could melt a camera lens -- and that's WITH makeup.
2. Anyone else notice that when Tony gets his ass handed to him in the comments of a particular story (i.e., Westport), he starts loading the site with trivial little posts (like the Chesser story) or he'll enter an extremely long-winded post (like the Catholic sex scandal) to push the original story farther down or completely off the front page?
To wit. Natch. Anyhoo ...
BFD. Simple, don't run red lights.
ReplyDeleteagree.
ReplyDeleteIts not quite that simple. I get the ticket no matter who is driving. And you can still get a ticket even by making a right turn on red without a full and complete stop prior to the white line. That is what irritates me most.
ReplyDeleteLOL Red means stop then go hahahahahahahaha you deserve a ticket. here is the law you don't know.
ReplyDelete(a) Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subdivision;
(b) The driver of a vehicle which is stopped as close as practicable at the entrance to the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then at the entrance to the intersection in obedience to a red signal, may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection, except that the state highways and transportation commission with reference to an intersection involving a state highway, and local authorities with reference to an intersection involving other highways under their jurisdiction, may prohibit any such right turn against a red signal at any intersection where safety conditions so require, said prohibition shall be effective when a sign is erected at such intersection giving notice thereof;
As the court ruling indicates, municipalities cannot create ordinances that conflict with state law where they have no authority to do so.
ReplyDeleteSince when does kcmo give a shit what state law says??
ReplyDeleteCircuit Judge Mark Neill: "A city, even a charter city, is a creature of the state and, as such, has no inherent police power," Judge Neill ruled. "The only police power a city has is that conferred to it by the state... The court does not believe that the ordinance has a substantial and rational relation to the health, safety, peace, comfort and general welfare of the inhabitants of St. Louis. This court concludes that without specific enabling legislation passed by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, the ordinance is void."
ReplyDeleteSo what? Kcmo will continue to ignore state law.
ReplyDeleteSo what? Kcmo will continue to ignore state law.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that people just don't pay the bill. He did get a letter from the company who runs the red light cameras to pay the fine but he still didn't. Then he was pulled over a year later for speeding and no warrent was ever issued for the red light violation. Maybe if everybody just stopped paying they would just go away.
ReplyDelete