HOUSTON – The city’s controversial red-light cameras will go dark beginning Monday, Nov. 15.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker is scheduled to make the announcement on Monday, when the voting results are officially certified.
The city was forced to put the red-light camera issue on the midterm elections ballot after opponents collected more than 20,000 signatures calling for a referendum.
In the end, Houston voters decided the cameras needed to go.
Proponents of the cameras, which included HPD and many Houston City Council members, argued that the devices helped prevent crashes.
But opponents like Michael Kubosh said the cameras actually caused more accidents than they prevented, and that they were just a money-maker for the city.
"That is all they talk about is the money shortfall. They aren’t talking about how many lives have been saved. They are not talking about how many accidents have been reduced. They are only talking about one thing and one thing only and that is what it is always about, it always was about the money." Said Kubosh.
While it was unclear exactly when the cameras would physically be removed, officials said drivers who already have tickets will still have to pay their fines.
Civil rights lawyer Randall Kallinen had threatened to file a class-action lawsuit on behalf of ticketed drivers if the city continued to use the 70 red-light cameras after Nov. 15.
The city initially said the cameras would remain in use until March 15, citing a contract with the cameras’ manufacturer.
But the company that owns and operates the camera for Houston, American Traffic Solutions out of Arizona, says it received a letter from the city on Wednesday asking it to turn the cameras off on Monday morning.
While Mayor Annise Parker refused to comment Friday on camera, she issued a statement on the matter.
"We have indicated since the election that there are legalities to work out and this is just part of that process. Once City Council canvasses the votes for all three propositions on Monday, we will announce our next steps."
