City Clerk Mike Keith said Wednesday the city netted $12,280 from the 18-month program. The city collected $258,913 in revenue and paid the vendor $246,633.
Keith said the program was never about generating revenue for the city. It was installed as a tool to reduce the number of accidents at five intersections. Any money left after paying Traffipax Inc., for equipment and services was placed in a fund for intersection improvements and safety.
The final count showed 16,812 vehicles photographed between September 2008 and March 2010. Of that number, 6,744 potential violations passed Traffipax review. The city discarded 378 potential violations after further review, leaving a total of 6,366 tickets issued. The $50 tickets and late fees totaled $371,359. The city collected $258,918 on 4,944 tickets paid. There is still an outstanding total of $47,597 from the tickets. Added late fees raise the total owed the city to $113,016.
Keith said they have not decided how to collect the outstanding balance. Some cities turn the debt over to a collection agency.
The Red Light Enforcement Program ended at midnight March 31 when the cameras at five intersections were deactivated.
The vendor informed City Manager Janice Casteel by a letter dated Jan. 29 it was terminating the program about halfway into the three-year agreement because it and the city of Cleveland were operating the sites at a financial loss.
At one time, City Traffic Engineer Megan Wilson credited the program with a citywide decrease in the number of accidents at intersections controlled by traffic lights.
The Red Light Enforcement Program began issuing warning citations Sept. 15, 2008, and $50 fines after 30 days on Oct. 15, 2008 at five intersections: Paul Huff Parkway/Stuart Road at North Lee Highway, Keith Street at Raider Drive, Keith Street at 20th Street, Keith Street at 25th Street and 25th Street at Peerless Road.
