Red-Light Camera Firm Sues City

GALVESTON, Texas (CN) - A red-light camera operator sued League City, claiming an ordinance the City Council put on the Nov. 6 ballot to ban photographic traffic enforcement systems violates its contract.

Redflex Traffic Systems sued League City in Galveston County Court.

League City resident Joseph Wheeler is also a plaintiff. The town of 83,000 is 23 miles southeast of Houston.

Redflex claims the city contracted with it to install and operate five red-light cameras, effective March 2009, to reduce collisions at intersections.

The contract is for 5 years, with two optional, 2-year renewal terms, Redflex says.

But on Aug. 14 the City Council put City Ordinance No. 2012-14 on the Nov. 6 ballot; it would "preclude further renewal or deployment of photographic traffic enforcement systems on the city's public rights of way when the contract with Redflex Systems Inc. expires."

Redflex says the language is too broad, as the law would ban all traffic enforcement systems, not just "photographic traffic signal enforcement systems."

The Phoenix-based company says the ordinance would ban traffic enforcement systems for school bus stops, work and school zones, Amber Alert license plate recognition systems and could even extend to police dash cams.

"Additionally, the proposition as worded is misleading and confusing because a vote 'for' the proposition is a vote 'against' the ordinance and the city's current policy with respect to the use of red light cameras," Redflex says.

Redflex claims passage of the measure would breach contract because it would take away the city's authority to renew the agreement.

It seeks declaratory judgment that the proposition is "misleading and ambiguous."

Redflex is represented by Wayne Collins with Collins, O'Neal & Swofford, of League City.

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