MPD Acknowledges Problems with Traffic Cameras

WASHINGTON - Possible problems with D.C.'s red light cameras and speed cameras could jeopardize the photo enforcement system.

With more than half of the city's 50 cameras either not working or uncertified, one high ranking D.C. official tells WTOP there were problems with "the performance of the previous contractor" -- which was Affiliated Computer Services or ACS

Edward Hamilton, executive director of Corporate Support for the Metropolitan Police Department, also acknowledged two stationary radar units -- both on Benning Road -- had not been certified by an independent third party as required.

The District's traffic enforcement is now being run by American Traffic Solutions. ATS told District officials they inherited a flawed system that had malfunctioning and missing equipment, and radars that are not certified.

The problems are potentially keeping the city from collecting millions in fines. And, the city might be liable for tens of thousands of speeding tickets that could be challenged in court.

Affiliated Computer Services is the firm that installed the system and had the contract to manage it. ACS recently came under scrutiny for its handling of the District's parking meters.

Hamilton says a 10-member task force within MPD was formed to come up with a response and recommendations. One of the recommendations is a re-training of the officer's who operate the photo enforcement units.

Sources tell WTOP part of the reason many of the cameras are not working is because the District's Department of Transportation allowed contractors to dig up roads around the cameras without notifying the Metropolitan Police Department.

Sensors built into the roads enable the cameras to work. But the same source says a "bureaucratic nightmare" ensued when the MPD tried to obtain permits to re-install the sensors due to D-DOT's regulations prohibiting roads to be dug up more than once per calendar year.

Executives from ATS, including former D.C. Transportation Director Michelle Pourciau, discussed the problems with several D.C. City Council members Monday.

Out of the 50 red light and speed camera located in the District, 27 have been deemed inoperable. They include:

1. East Capitol Street (westbound) at Benning Road Ne
   
2. New York Avenue (eastbound) at Bladensburg Road NE
   
3. North Capitol Street (northbound) at Harewood Road NE
   
4. North Capitol Street at Missouri Avenue NE
   
5. K Street (westbound) at 25th Street NW
   
6. South Dakota Avenue (eastbound) at Bladensburg Road NE
   
7. 16th Street (northbound) at Oak Street NW
   
8. 16th Street (southbound) at Colorado Avenue NW
   
9. Suitland Parkway (eastbound) at Firth Sterling Avenue SE
   
10. 16th Street (southbound) at Irving Street NW
    
11. 12th Street (northbound) at Constitution Avenue NW
    
12. East Capitol Street (westbound) at Southern Avenue NE
    
13. K Street (eastbound) at 27th Street NW
    
14. Connecticut Avenue (southbound) at Nebraska Avenue NW
    
15. Benning Road (northbound) at Minnesota Avenue NE
    
16. Rhode Island Avenue (westbound) at First Street NW
    
17. Rhode Island Avenue (westbound) at Reed Street NE
    
18. New York Avenue (westbound) at New Jersey Avenue NW
    
19. Branch Avenue (northbound) at Alabama Avenue SE
    
20. Connecticut Avenue (northbound) at Military Road NW
    
21. Canal Street (westbound) at Whitehurst Freeway NW
    
22. Wisconsin Avenue (northbound) at Brandywine Street NW
    
23. Pennsylvania Avenue (eastbound) at Southern Avenue SE

(Copyright 2007 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)