Big Brother no longer watching

I think I speak for everyone when I say good riddance. After a friend got one of those ridiculous turning on a red light tickets in Bolingbrook, I swore off going there for any reason. I didn't at all mind trekking all the way up to Schaumburg to go to Ikea, even with it being more than twice as far away to avoid funding Big Brother. I'm curious what caused them to suspend this money printing program of theirs- Pressure from local businesses perhaps? The cameras have been public knowledge for quite some time and whenever Bolingbrook came up in conversation lately it has almost always been followed with, "Don't go there unless you want a ticket" and a story about someone they know by whoever brought it up.

Traffic tickets need to be issued by a police officer who is exhibiting some common sense. While very slowly creeping up past the line and turning right or having your back two wheels not all the way through the intersection when the light turns is technically against the strict definition of the law... give me a break. Traffic laws exist to keep people safe. A cautious driver creeping up for maximum visibility before turning right isn't creating an unsafe situation- quite the opposite, in fact. The same can be said for someone who just barely makes it through the intersection before the light turns red instead of slamming on the brakes with both feet.

There are more factors that should be taken in to consideration when tickets are written instead of a binary decision of "Your car is in the frame of the camera, enjoy your ticket." Police officers don't write tickets for going one mile over the speed limit, or staying in a 2 hour parking spot for ten minutes longer than you should. How is it fair to get a ticket for having your bumper extending over the stop line?

...But, all of these arguments have already been made before. I just hope Naperville takes a hint from Bolingbrook and cans their red light camera plans to avoid the inevitable tidal wave of drama they will cause.

Eli, You said everything I was thinking. Naperville, are YOU listening?

The experience of the UK where you are captured on CCTV camera 300 times a day on average in London, and roads are blanketed with speed and red light cameras is that they are nothing more than a money-making scam for the authorities.

Do you think it's fair to receive a ticket and points on your licence for doing 34 in a 30 limit? This is the experience of hundreds of thousands of otherwise safe British motorists, including people who have been driving 50 years without a ticket or accident to their name.

I hope that the authorities here realise that when the people start to perceive law enforcement as basically a money making scam the police will lose the cooperation and support of the community they serve. That has already happened in the UK, I hope it does not here.

Eli: You hit it right on the head about everything with the exception that Naperville could possibly do the same thing as Bolingbrook did after some Time.

Remember that this is Naperville and only wishfull thinking on your part and mine. Naperville won't ever back off on this one. Naperville, always knows what is good for everybody.

As for me, I will avoid the interesections and do my shopping somewhere else. Enough of Big Brother !!! (Police should be handing out tickets and not some computor) But I guess this will give the police more time to catch terrorists or something.

Isn't it wonderful to live in paradise ???

I'm a Naperville resident and I think the cameras would be a great asset in Naperville and anywhere else.

The cameras are better than police officers. They can't use racial profiling. Or maybe that's the problem???

Cops use discretion who they give tickets to, the cameras don't. Its nice being on an even playing field. Or maybe once again that is the problem!

I just pd. $100 after they would not honor my protest. I pulled up past the white line to make a right turn. How do I get my money back.

I was mailed a traffic violation in September for "not coming to a complete stop before making a right turn on red". I'm curious why they have suspended the program and if there is a legal problem with the system that might lead to a refund of the $100 Bolingbrook scammed from me? Maybe the businesses in the area have lost enough sales revenue since the cameras were installed to have Bolingbrook concerned about its lost sales tax revenue? I know I'm not the only one who has stopped shopping in Bolingbrook since these cameras were installed. There are plenty of other areas that offer the same shopping experience without "big brother" electronically employing a ticket by mail operation. Anyone who has experienced navigating this busy corner knows that sometimes you need to creep up to and through the turn to safely view around the cars to the left of you to see oncoming trafic. I'll spend my sales tax dollars elsewhere, thank you.

I'm from Bolingbrook and believe me we hate those cameras as much as people from Naperville do. I've been at the intersections with the camera to see it flash over 10 times for people making a right on red, which is LEGAL! The reason accidents have dropped 40% is because people are AVOIDING those intersections! Hopefully they will be dreopped for good!

I live in Bolingbrook. I drive through the impacted intersections frequently and watch the cameras flash multiple times as drivers barelyslow down, let alone come to a full and complete stop as the law indicates they should. The only people who hate the cameras are those prone to seizures because the flashing light CAN trigger them and those who violate the law and actually get caught. Police cannot be everywhere and I think this is a great resource to assist them.

I got flashed a few times but never got a ticket. After doing some research on how this thing works, it appears that every ticket is viewed by the Bolingbrook PD before they issue it. So all I can say is this: obey the law and you will not get a ticket. I think that most of the people are angry about just how effective this technology is.

Everybody know that these cameras were put in for money and not for saftey. A majority of the tickets issued are for turning right and not coming to a complete stop behind the white line first. Cops do not enforce this law and neither should the cameras. Most of the accidents that happen are a result of people running straight through an intersection or the 5 cars that run the left hand turn light after it's red.

Turning right on red is the least cause of any accidents. This cash crop system needs to be reviewed to eliminate these type of frivolous tickets. People will just take different routes, cut throught grocery stores parking lots, and other methods to avoid them.

The final problem, is the ticket process. Why bother even offering different methods of protest when your never going to overturn the judgement of the tickets. People don't feel they should get a ticket for stopping just a head of the white line when you see other police cars at non-camera intersections do the same things. If you want your $100 that bad, fine, just don't call asking me to donate to other poilce charities. Consider this bogus $100 ticket your gift.

The ridiculous red light camera (RLC) redux:

Bolingbrook - 4500 tickets at 75 per day, $178,000 in fines collected, and $220,000 remains unpaid. That was the headline this past summer after just TWO MONTHS of operation!

Lisle, Geneva, West Chicago, Wayne, Naperville, etcetera, etcetera, all jumped on the “hey, free money” bandwagon and planned RLC installations. Why – everybody looked at Chicago’s windfall - $17.9 million collected in 2006. Their 39 initial cameras performed so well, ah generated NON-TAX dollars so effortlessly, that Chicago scheduled 31 more for installation.

The premise for RLC installation was to reduce accidents. Don Nelson of Redflex, a provider of such camera systems, told the aldermen in Geneva that in one Texas town their cameras reduced accidents by 80 percent. As I recall that consisted of about a five-accident decrease. Anyone wish to comment about how figures can lie and …………... If you take time and review some of the studies done the preponderance of them sight an increase in rear-end accidents, precipitated by obvious reasons, at these “protected” intersections.

So now, after just six months Bolingbrook elects to suspend the RLC money windfall? Mayor Claar says, "We've changed the behavior of drivers, so now we're going to pull it for a few months". He continues, "It's going to be re-evaluated over the next few months to see if people are violating red lights and right turns on reds." Hey, don’t forget about all those cross walk violations Mr. Mayor.

Does anyone really believe his comments? The purported reason for RLC implementation was to reduce accidents, which according to the Bolingbrook Police it has. When did the purpose shift to merely effecting behavioral change? Could this suspension possibly have been precipitated by vocalized citizen disgust with the outlandish amount of tickets issued for not obeying the letter of the law vice its intent? What about all the contributing visitors to Ikea etcetera: think they’re happy? I would certainly like to have more specifics on just what type accidents were reduced and if in fact, as Bolingbrook Andrew suggested, it was actually due to the reduced traffic volume caused by people simply avoiding those intersections.

I wonder what impact this will have on the RLC providers who I don’t think installed those cameras without a contractual commitment with Bolingbrook. They only make money when Bolingbrook makes money and they are for sure not going to lose money in this deal. I must presume that the status of these cameras are discussed among the various Mayors and perhaps that is why no other village has yet begun their own money making campaign.

Well, let’s see what happens in the next few months. Although I’m hoping not, I’m betting that after the heat dies down that they’ll be back! Just SHOW THEM THE MONEY!

I hope the red light cameras are gone for good from Bolingbrook and that none of the other suburbs adopt this money making scam!

I received two $100 tickets within two days of each other for the same violation: stopping beyond the white line on a red so that I could see that the intersection was safe & clear before turning right. The invoice number on my 2nd ticket was about 1200 higher than my first ticket. That means that in the span of 48 hours they nabbed 1200 people generating $120,000 before the camera owners take their cut! Ridiculous! I tried to appeal them but got a bogus reply saying that I had simply provided excuses as my reasoning. I want a refund!

I actually think these cameras cause more accidents. People unsafely slam on the brakes much more often now to ensure they're no where near the line where the camera takes its picture. I've also seen people wait out the light now instead of turning right on red so as not to have to even deal with potential infraction accusations.

The City of Bolingbrook needs to take these cameras out!

Ann, I received a ticket and subsequent denial of contesting for a very similar thing. I stopped about 2 feet over to see around a big SUV immediately to my left so that I could check if it was safe to turn or not.

I too turned to civil disobedience by just parking my vehicle in the right lane, refusing to proceed and turn right until the light went green. It honked off everyone behind me waiting but too bad, I was not under any obligation to turn until the light went green. A good way to combat them if they creep in again is with a similar course of action.

Working a season job in bolingbrook that took me through that very intersection every night...caught me by suprise...the white line is so far back from lthe intersection...to turn right on red without inching forward goes against your natural instincts...my precaution was for my safety and view while it was obstructed by a huge SUV to my left...I went over the line to see..the SUV was stopped up close to the intersection...way past the white line..going up closer is obviously is what most people would do..so how convenient to have a camera that will show no discretion...and to charge people 100 dollars with no WARNING ISSUED...that's EXCESSIVE to the taxpayer who tries to drive defensively without a ticket...this was a blow giving me the impression THE CAMERA WAS USED AS A MONEYMAKER!!!! OUCH..SHAME ON BOLINGBROOK..IT'S CORRUPT!..THIS DOES NOT SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES BEST INTEREST.. ..and most of the other Seasonal workers were CAUGHT IN the same way and were reluctant to work in Bolingbrook again..if this taken out .DUE TO ALL THE UPHEAVAL.we should all be issued at least half if not a full refund FOR THIS UNSCRUPULOUS DECSION BY THE POWERS THAT BE...!!!!

It blows me away how stern Bolingbrook is being regarding disputing these tickets. In my experiences in getting a ticket in Naperville (although this was many years ago) I was rather impressed with how forgiving the entire process seemed to be. I had a citation for driving on a suspended license which turned out to be due to a bookkeeping SNAFU at the emissions testing center... So my presence in court was nothing more than a formality of appearing and providing proof that my vehicle's emission records were in good standing, etc. to get it dismissed.

I'm not sure how they order the cases at traffic court, but I was towards the very end and got to sit and listen to everyone plead their cases. The judge presiding that day seemed to be taking in to account much more than what the ticket itself read. People with otherwise clean driving records in recent years were let off with heavily reduced fines and/or a brief period of court supervision. Overall the entire vibe put off by the process was great. A large majority of the defendants got in front of the judge and he said something along the lines of, "Alright, you were speeding going 55 in a 45 on Route 59. Your recent driving record looks great- Be safe and slow down, I don't want to see you in here again." The (what seemed to be) minimum penalty was imposed, and everyone left looking relieved. Unfortunately, repeat offenders weren't as lucky.

This is the way traffic citations should be handled. They should serve as a wake up call to drivers to be more safe. I haven't heard anywhere of people being cut any slack with Bolingbrook's ticket-o-matic money printing system. A business associate of mine was issued the dreaded "didn't stop behind the line before turning right on red" ticket that so many other people have fell victim to and decided to appear in court to plead his case which largely revolved around having been a licensed driver for over 50 years without a single violation.

Now, we can look at this in one of two ways:

1. He slowly crept forward in his car to get a clear view around the no-doubt massive gas sucking soccer mom piloted urban assault vehicle to get a clear view of traffic to make a safe right turn.

OR

2. The no-stop bandit who has plagued the greater Bolingbrook area for the better part of 50 years was finally brought to justice after having eluding the police and running red lights for half a century.

Even a student brought up in the hard knock life of the district 204 slums could make the correct ruling on that. What does that say about Bolingbrook? I would hope this whole fiasco will guarantee that the clowns responsible for instating this scam are never elected to any kind of public office ever again. For their sake it's a good thing that now days people just complain about this circus online... 100 years ago we'd be stoking the coals under a massive vat of tar and plucking every bird in the county for all the feathers the angry torch and pitchfork wielding mob would need to "remedy" the situation.

Yes I would like to know which of my respected elected officials have voted to approve the $1 million contract with Traffipax. Does anyone know how to look up the breakdown of the 4-3 approval vote and post the results here?

Also, here's a conspiracy theory for you: especially at Boughton & Weber, the white line where you need to stop behind seems to have been painted unnaturally a lot further behind the actual intersection that it needs to be. It's as if you're purposely being made to stop so far back where you can't safely see approaching cars when you're trying to make your right turn on a red light. I honestly haven't seen any traffic lines ever painted that far back from the intersection anywhere else! You need to be about 1 car length beyond the line to safely view any oncoming cross-traffic!

I am glad to see that the cameras have been suspended and I hope there is a way the citizens can legally make it impossible to start them again. I would be in favor of a class action suit or any petition or voting to remove these government officials from office.

This has been a case of government officials taking advantage of the law for profit and I have not been back to Bolingbrook to buy anything since it started because I refuse to give them any of my money.

This situation is the best reason to get involved in local politics as I have ever seen. If you don't vote, now you can at least vote against this guy to boot him out next time. If you ever wanted to run for office yourself, now is the time.

Well Naperville, hold on to your wallets, here come da cameras. The BEST line appearing in the 21 November Sun article says it all: “City leaders say the test run on intersections under city control is necessary to see how resources such as the courts and police can handle a potential influx of violations.” Potential influx? We have all seen the amount of that “potential” haven’t we? Oh yah, potential!

Yup, they gotta make sure they can efficiently rake in all that money! Ya just gotta love how well government plans don’t ya.

Don’t think government is out of control and is attempting to be involved in every aspect of your life, reflect on the comment of Councilman Jim Boyajian, “I don't want to wait in looking for these other intersections. We have bad traffic behavior throughout the entire city." Do ya get it, we have bad traffic behavior here and it is now the business of government to micro manage your life. At least the disguise is gone and they are no longer trying to convince you it’s only about preventing accidents. It’s all about you being a bad, bad person by not making that “complete” stop ten feet behind the white line and deserving to be punished! Oops, nah, it’s about the money!

Government has been permitted to become more and more intrusive and is thus diminishing more of our rights every day. Even when driving legally they have now entered your car and have determined that if you are not wearing a seat belt you are breaking the law. I use my seat belt all the time but resent government getting into my car with me. They have entered private employers establishments and have made perfectly legal activities illegal in selected businesses. When did we relinquish our rights and pass them on to government to so completely control our private lives and business?

They may not like cameras in Bolingbrook but you’re gonna love them in Naperville aren’t you! Wanna bet how long until Bolingbrook will put their cameras back on line? We will be forced to love “Big Brother” very soon, won’t we?

I was ticketed over the summer in Bolingbrook. I stopped beyond the white line and then made a right turn. (Boughton and Weber). I got the ticket in the mail and I refuse to pay it.

How many times have you stopped to turn and can't see the intersection because Joe Blow's Gas Guzzling Hummer is in the way?? I watched the video online as well. I came to a complete stop but was past the white line so I could see oncoming traffic.

Quite honestly, I do not see people blowing lights in Bolingbrook... I see more people talking on their cell phones and swerving through lanes. At one point I saw some idiot READING while she was driving. How about focusing on the real dangers instead of people who stop past the white line? Give me a break.

Yes, I also received 2 tickets. I will not shop in Bolingbrook and avoid that intersection and others with the same cameras. Actually when I was working in Bolingbrook I felt more anxious as I approached the light and felt more tense because of the cameras, wondering when I should stop if the light turned yellow (remember you are driving 40 mph). Slamming on the brakes worried about a ticket. I actually think the cameras are causing more accidents.

I asked them to waive one ticket as a warning, and pay the second one. NOPE was the the answer. I had to pay BOTH. They said they advertised in advance they were being put in and warned residents on Bolingbrook TV. My response was "I live in Naperville why would I watch your Bolingbrook town news channel". See they ARE stupid.

I didn't run the light so if you're reading this and wondering, BOTH of mine were right turn violations.

I told them worry more about the Mayor's DUI and missing Stacey Peterson (who's paying Drew's fees anyway?)

I HATE BOLINGBROOK - and yes I live in Naperville!

I'll provide a test for you. Shop 1st at the Bolingbrook Jewel/Osco. THEN come to Naperville and shop their Jewel/Osco. Take note of the quality of baggers, level of professionalism, and neatness/respect of the employees. CLEARLY a HUGE difference.