Police to provide monthly updates on red light camera violators in Colorado Springs
KRDO NewsChannel 13 tried to learn how many drivers were recorded running red lights by two sets of cameras on Friday, the second day the cameras officially went online.
But Lt. James Sokolik, of the Colorado Springs Police Department, said the system’s mode of operation doesn’t allow for daily updates.
“We’ll do monthly updates,” he said. “So we’ll report the number of violators for May, at the end of June.”
Sokolik said it takes time for the city’s camera vendor to gather recorded data and turn it over to police for a visual inspection to confirm that a violation occurred.
“The cameras record a driver’s face, the license plate and the vehicle’s position in the intersection when the light turns red,” he said. “They also record a 12-second video to provide the proper context of the vehicle’s location before, during and after the possible violation. Drivers will be able to see that if they question the fine and want to appeal it.”
On Friday, some drivers went to the two camera locations — at the intersections of Platte Avenue at Chelton Road, and Briargate Boulevard at Lexington Drive — to see how the devices work. Other drivers said they were unaware of the cameras, despite a monthlong grace period in which violators received a warning.
While some drivers agree with the city’s belief that the cameras will reduce deaths, injuries and crashes resulting from running red lights, others say the cameras are an example of being watched by Big Brother and that the cameras are just a way for the city to make money.
One driver was even seen sticking his arm out and making an obscene gesture to a camera as he passed it.
