KRDO13 Investigates: Over 2,000 Colorado Springs speeders accidentally double-charged due to software update
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) says it discovered over 2,000 citations that were issued incorrectly in an area of the city using speed safety cameras.
According to CSPD, in July of this year, Verra Mobility, CSPD's Speed Safety Camera (SSC) vendor, implemented a software update that included changes to its internal location codes. CSPD says its SSC program uses two mobile SSC vehicles used in school zones, construction zones, roads near public parks and in neighborhoods.
CSPD says they were reviewing citations in September and noticed a summons issued in a neighborhood zone that listed a fine incorrectly as $80. A further review shows the issue had affected several citations, according to officials.
Officials said 34 of 1,212 locations in the system were affected. According to CSPD, between July 21 and Sept. 1, 2,764 citations were issued within those 34 locations.
CSPD says they reviewed all the citations and determined that, in every case, the vehicle had been going 11 mph over the speed limit, and there was probable cause for the fine. However, CSPD said the fines were doubled due to the update, bringing the total to $80 instead of $40.
KRDO13 Investigates took these concerns to Colorado Springs City Councilor Dave Donelson.
"We don't want any mistakes on the tickets," Donelson said. He voiced support for the speed camera technology in the city, citing constant constituent concern about aggressive or poor driving in the city.
However, Donelson did say if problems like this become a recurring theme, it could cause the city to look into other speed camera companies.
KRDO13 Investigates reached out to Verra Mobility to request an interview or statement about the overcharges. As of 10:00 P.M. MST on Tuesday night, we have not heard back.
Refunds are currently being processed and are expected to arrive in four to six weeks, according to CSPD. Officials say 700 of the citations had already been paid through their online portal.
For those who hadn't paid their fees yet, CSPD says court records are updated to show the proper $40 fine.
KRDO13 Investigates also requested an interview with the Colorado Springs Police Department. The department did not respond to our request.
CSPD says Verra Mobility is mailing letters to people who were impacted by the incorrect fines. A copy of the letter provided by CSPD is below:
City of Colorado Springs Police Department
C/O Automated Photo Safety Enforcement Program
PO Box 22000
Tempe, AZ 85285-2091Community Member Name
AddressRE: NOTICE OF VIOLATION CORRECTION AND/OR REFUND NOTICE
Dear Community Member,
As the contractor for the City of Colorado Springs’ Automated Photo Safety Enforcement Program, Verra Mobility would like to inform you that Notice of Violation #Number, which you should have recently received, was issued with the incorrect fine amount.
Due to a programming error, the Notice of Violation associated with your vehicle reflected an incorrect civil penalty amount of $80. The correct civil penalty for this violation is $40, and our records have been updated accordingly.
If you have already paid the civil penalty associated with the above-mentioned violation, you will receive a refund of $40 by check. Since the original notice listed an incorrect amount, the refund is being processed and is expected to arrive within 4–6 weeks.
If payment has not been made, the court records have been updated to reflect the correct amount of $40. When you log in to the online payment portal or visit the court in person, the amount owed will show the correct total.
We apologize for any inconvenience this error may have caused and appreciate your understanding.
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