Rochester's Red Light Camera Law Is Bad For Business and Tourism
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Rochester's Red Light Camera Law Is Bad For Business and Tourism
Original site: https://m.facebook.com/RochesterNYAttorney/photos/a.165650153615418.1073741832.153257511521349/340437862803312/?type=1
The City of Rochester red light camera law has one big unintended consequence that business leaders should take note of - red light camera tickets are bad for companies doing business in Rochester and tourism.
At the urging of City Hall, last week Rochester's City Council voted 6 to 3 to continue (and expand) the local red light camera program. The cameras are set up at 32 intersections, many in the downtown business and tourism areas. The law allows the City to add 18 more intersections for a total of 50 around town. The Mayor plans to sign the law this week and renew the private vendor's contract.
The red light cameras, operated by Redflex Corporation of Australia, generate around 90,000 tickets a year, each of which carries a $50 fine.
In 2013-14, the city budget put camera revenue at $2.5 million, with $3.5 million expected this year (which goes into the general fund for everyday spending).
Many cities around the country are now pulling the plug on these programs based on public outcry over the legal and technical flaws.
No suburban town in the greater Rochester area has a single red light camera.
The County Of Monroe and the State of NY also do not operate any red light camera on any roads in their jurisdictions in the Rochester area.
Now consider these recent posts on social media:
Craig O.
"Do what I do... stay out of the city altogether... problem solved!!!
The city will NOT get my business for anything!!!
I no longer attend sporting events, festivals or concerts either."
Jeanine D.
"that's why I don't drive in the city"
John P.
"I spend half of my time in Rochester and the other half in Chicago.
Where I stay in Rochester is just inside the city limits on the border of Henrietta. I used to love spending money in the city. Now I go over to Henrietta instead."
Andrew J.
"people will avoid coming here and driving through ... the city
... for fear of getting an unfair ticket"
Rosalind W.
"This program is an anti-stimulus for our city"
Jim M.
"no wonder everybody is moving out of Rochester"
Khi G.
"If the suburban streets don't have them, why do the streets in the city have them?"
Carlos H.
"highway robbery".
In addition to the legal and social justice issues, perhaps the worse impact of the Rochester red light camera law is the countless business prospects it is driving out of the city and surrounding area. Imagine the opinion out of town visitors, tourists and prospective students or corporate recruits to Rochester must have after receiving a $50 "gotcha" ticket in the mail a few weeks after their visit to our fair city.
Business leaders should urge the Mayor to reconsider this City of Rochester program for the negative impression it makes for the greater Rochester business and tourism industry.
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(photo: D&C)
