Don't leave yet. It's not over.

On November 3, 2009 the people of College Station voted for an initiative to end red light cameras in our city. To win this election was an incredible feat since the camera funded opposition spent over $70,000 in commercials, mailers, and signs in attempt to influence the election. After we won the election, Mayor Ben White announced that the cameras were to be removed on November 11.

A lawyer from the opposition has challenged the election and a judge has ordered a nine day restraining order on the removal of the cameras. It is unknown how much time will actually pass before the will of the people is done. The city council has the power to remove the cameras with or without the ballot initiative. All they have to do is put the issue on the agenda and vote to end the contract with American Traffic Solutions at the next council meeting, an option that they have had all along. The people have spoken. We demand that the cameras be removed immediately by whatever means necessary.











***************CONGRATULATIONS!**************

Your efforts in spreading the word about the red light camera petition has paid off. The petition has been submitted and the city has scheduled a vote for November third.

Getting the required signatures for a ballot initiative was a monumental task. Many of you spent hours or days in the “trenches” with us along University Drive at our petition tent. An even larger number of you invited people to our facebook group to help spread the word about our petition. This opportunity to vote on the issue of red light cameras would not have happened without the thousands of you who have contributed your time and talents.

The petition was a success but only the first battle in the war to be free from the red light cameras. Our efforts have gotten the attention of American Traffic Solutions (AKA Goliath), a multi-million dollar company with a financial stake in our red light cameras. They send representatives from Arizona to our city council meetings on a weekly basis and have spent their money to form a political action committee in our community. One only has to ask why they are so concerned about the outcome of OUR city election. Do they expect us to believe that people from another state are pouring in money to influence our election because they are concerned about our safety? We know better.

Rather than follow our model of transparency, American Traffic Solutions has found a citizen to do their bidding for them act as their facade. They reached into their resources in order to do a “survey” where they claim that over 60% of citizens support the red light cameras. This “survey” was likely done in the same manner that they conducted the study of where to put the cameras. The intersection of Munson and Harvey was responsible for 0.11% of the accidents in College Station. Of all of the high risk intersections, why would they choose an intersection with just over a tenth of a percent of the accidents to put their camera? Could it be that this relatively safe intersection would be a better source of revenue?

Make no mistake, the multi million dollar propaganda machine is going to make an effort to convince every citizen that the streets are not going to be safe unless we continue to send money to American Traffic Solutions for our protection. Our challenge is to get the facts on the table so citizens can make a sound decision.

Unlike American Traffic Solutions, we are not being paid and we have a minimal advertising budget. We need your help to expose the red light cameras for what they are. Please make it a point to attend one of our upcoming events or help us pass out campaign materials. If you can do nothing else, please take time to invite all of your friends to our facebook group so they can help spread the word.

Please continue to support us and VOTE YES on election day November 3, 2009. Let's take back OUR city!




"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves." -- William Pitt (1783)

UPDATE:
City officials often state, "Red Light Cameras have reduced accidents by 50%". The opposing side's website states, "The bottom line is red-light violations and crashes due to red-light running have decreased by nearly 50 percent."

According to a KBTX news story linked below, "Comparing the 2007 to 2008 numbers does not show a 54% decrease, but more than a 200% increase." That number is actually higher at 233% The city's money machine is causing accidents and potential physical harm to the citizens of College Station.

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." -Mark Twain
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Don't leave yet. It's not over.

On November 3, 2009 the people of College Station voted for an initiative to end red light cameras in our city. To win this election was an incredible feat since the camera funded opposition spent over $70,000 in commercials, mailers, and signs in attempt to influence the election. After we won the election, Mayor Ben White announced that the cameras were to be removed on November 11.

A lawyer from the opposition has challenged the election and a judge has... (read more)