Even though our work in Baytown is done We will maintain this website as a record of Baytown's experience with the failed red light camera experiment.

You can see the latest updates for the camera issues in Texas at www.citizensforsaferstreets.com and you can share information about how camera tickets are largely unenforceable across Texas at www.trashyourticket.com

Please remember this issue at election time and hold your politicians responsible for their support of the camera programs.




WARNING! Credit Card Scam going around Baytown! We have received calls indicated that people posing as the DMV are calling people telling them they have outstanding camera tickets and want you to pay over the phone. THIS IS A SCAM to get your credit card info. Please report any calls to the Police department or harris county sherrifs department.

See who chose camera company profits over the safety and rights of Baytown citizens on our Hall of Shame page.

10-5-10 
Baytown caught with another illegally short yellow light at red light camera location. Details on our press release page located HERE

 

Baytown Red Light Camera Monitored Intersections show dramatic increase in all types of accidents.

These stats were confirmed by chief of police in my presentation to city council on 8-24-10. See the video on my media page HERE

See full details on our Press Releases page here

9-27-10

Baytown City Official suppresses lawful red light camera protest. Read about it in our press release page here


9-4-10

Camera company sues Baytown to stop vote! Oppose red light cameras? You might be a racist!
read about it HERE

8-21-2010

Baytown Red light camera company  front group calls Baytown Police department prepared red light camera accident report data "misinformation". Claims certain accident type increases of as much as 400% merely a "modest uptick". False personal attacks on veterans continue. Read full details on our links and resources page

 
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QUICK LINKS;

• FAQ 
• PRESS RELEASES

CAMERAS ARE GONE!

Thanks to the voters in Baytown that saw through the scam ATS and their dangerous cameras have been removed. This site will remaim active so other people can be inspired by what Baytown was able to accomplish.


Baytown Council sells your election to Camera Company.

9-30-11

In court filings BRLCC discovered that the Baytown City Council negotiated a proposed judgement with the red light camera vendor suing Baytown. The proposed judgement asks Judge Mike Miller to sign off on a judgement saying our election last November is "void" and "without any legal effect" You can view the actual proposed judgement signed by Baytown city attorney and the attorney for ATS, the red light camera vendor below




Please take the time to contact Judge Miller's clerk to ask him not to sign away our election. Judge Miller is an elected Judge up for re election in November 2012.

Mike Miller
11th Civil Court
201 Caroline

Gabriela DeLaRosa 713-368-6020
gabriela.delarosa@hcdistrictclerk.com





Baytown Council settles camera lawsuit.

8-25-11

Tonight the Baytown city council voted to pay off ATS with $1 million to remove the red light cameras and stop further litigation against the city.  Read more on our press releases page.

Texas Legislature fails to protect Texans, refuse to enact camera ban.

Despite a red light camera ban being on the republican platform this year and several bills introduced in the 82nd legislature the pro camera senate transportation committee blocked every bill by not letting it out of committee. It is no coincidence that the camera companies stepped up their lobbying money this session. Contact EVERY Texas senator and let them know you want a REAL camera ban. Tell them to stop taking camera money. Here is a link to all Texas senators, please take the time to call their office.
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/Members.htm 

See the Senators that have not taken action for a statewide ban in our press releases page. Phone numbers are also listed for each Senator's office.

New Texas website for statewide camera issues.

www.citizensforsaferstreets.com


5-10-2011

Accidents down after red light cameras voted out in Houston!
http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2011/05/accidents-fall-at-houston-red-light-camera-intersections/


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2-16-2011

Camera Company files another suit against Baytown, alleging insufficient ticketing.

The litigious camera company files a breach of contract suit against Baytown. According to the suit the camera company and Baytown had an agreement based upon the anticipated number of violations at intersections. Since Baytown has not issued as many violation notices as before this is a basis for a breach of contract.

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/34/3405.asp


1-23-2011

Baytown Red Light Cameras no longer flashing!

We have confirmed that no red light camera tickets have been issued since 11-26-2010. You may have noticed that the cameras are not flashing anymore. With no new tickets issued the revenue from the cameras for old tickets should dry up soon. While this is good news the cameras are still up and are able to be turned back on at any time. There is a pending lawsuit against the city of Baytown scheduled for November. Most likely the judge for the Baytown case is waiting for the Federal judge for the Houston lawsuit to issue an opinion. We urge you to support our fellow camera activists at www.nocamerashouston.com their fight is our fight. While our cases are different what happens there could effect Baytown too.


1-21-2011

We plan on pressuring the Texas legislature to implement a statewide ban on red light cameras. With the HCRP and Texas GOP adopting a camera ban as part of their platform and two votes against the cameras the time will never be better. Please contact your representative to urge them to take up a statewide ban. You can see your senator HERE You can see your house representative HERE



Inspired by our efforts and others around the country citizens in Port Lavaca and Humble are working on a vote on the cameras in their cities. So far votes against the cameras are 15-0. Hopefully this trend will continue.




11-17-2010

Monday the 15th the Baytown Council officially adopted the ordinance contained in proposition 1. The ordinance requires a peace officer be present at the time and location of the violation in order for a red light camera ticket to be issued. The city has indicated that they do not have the resources or inclination to post officers to witness these violations. Starting at 12:01 am on November 26th the city will no longer issue citations unless they comply with the ordinance. Since the city will not post officers at the locations the tickets will cease and the revenue will cease. With no profit motive the camera company that owns the cameras should remove them shortly after that.


11-4-2010

Yesterday the voters in Baytown, Houston and three other cities decided to vote out photoenforcement! Thank you to Baytown and Houston voters for siding with safety and our constitution and not the red light camera lawyers and the political elite that decided to side with the financial interests of the camera company over the interests of the citizens. Our fight isn't over. Everyone needs to contact their council member and the Mayor to tell them they need to follow the will of the people and BRING THE CAMERAS DOWN! You also need to contact your state representative and tell them we need a statewide ban this legislative session.

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/33/3311.asp

Red Light Camera Facts;
 

• Accidents of all types are up at camera monitored intersections this year

• 2008, the first full year of red light cameras was the deadliest year on Baytown streets in  20 years. source; city-data.com traffic statistics

• Total crime in Baytown up 27% since cameras were installed and we were told they would free up cops to suppress crime in other areas. source; BPD website 2007-2009

• Red light cameras net $3.4 million for city. source; Baytown Sun 3-27-10

• The Arizona camera company gets paid a bounty of 55% of each ticket collected in return for installing the cameras for free. source; Baytown Sun 3-27-10

• Red Light Camera tickets Decriminalize red light running. They only issue civil penalties, no worse than a parking ticket.                   source; Texas Transportation code 707.

• Failure to pay a red light camera ticket will not result in an arrest warrant, points on the violators license, insurance or credit. Although the law allows for vehicle registration to be blocked this isn't happening uniformly.  Texas Transportation code 707

• Numerous independant studies including the University of South Florida Health department, the Journal of trauma and Virginia transportation institute show an increase in accidents after cameras are installed. sources on links and resource page