Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis and Brick Township Police Chief Nils R. Bergquist have announced that Brick Township’s red-light enforcement cameras will begin taking photos of red-light runners at the intersection of Brick Blvd. and Chambers Bridge Road beginning on January 21, 2010.  Photo-enforcement cameras will capture still and video images of red-light running violations. During a 30-day warning period, a warning notice will be issued to the vehicle’s registered owner. There will be no fine for this warning notice.  The warning period ends on February 21, 2010 at which time summonses will be issued.

“This is about public safety.  One of the biggest causes of serious accidents for motorists and pedestrians is running red lights,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “If the presence of these cameras prevents one serious accident, than they are more than worth it.” 

Over a three year period, there were 151 accidents at the intersection, 40 of which were red-light related.  100 summonses have been issued during that same period.

Brick Township has contracted with American Traffic Solutions Inc. (ATS) which provides red-light and speed camera enforcement programs for more than 170 communities across North America.   The township will bear no cost for the installation of the cameras at the intersections.  The program is financed by a percentage of the paid violations being collected by the State and disbursed among the State and Municipality.

The type of violation issued is similar to one for running a red light observed by a police officer on the street, with the exception that no points will be assessed against the driver or the owner of the vehicle.  The penalty for failing to observe a traffic control device is set forth in Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes.  The current fine for this violation is $85.

“In a perfect world, these cameras would not be necessary because no one would go through a red light,” said Council President Anthony Matthews.  “We don’t live in a perfect world.  The best way to avoid any problems is to not go through a red light.”

The automated cameras will operate 24-hours a day and will snap photographs of license plates of vehicles that run red lights based on criteria established by Brick Township of what constitutes a violation.  Based on Brick Township’s ‘Police rules’ a violation will occur when the entire vehicle crosses the stop line after the light has turned red.   Those violations will then been processed by ATS who will verify the violation falls within the ‘Police rules’, that the still and video images are adequate and verify the registration and ownership of the vehicle through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.  Those violations that meet the criteria are then sent to the Brick Township Police Department where a police officer will review each violation to again verify that a violation did occur and the registration matches the vehicle in the still and video images.  At that time the police officer will approve or issue the violation which will be processed and sent out by ATS.  Violators can view the digital still images and a 12 second video of the violation online.  They then can pay the fine directly online or contest the violation the same as any other motor vehicle violation in municipal court. 

Warning signs alerting drivers to the red-light cameras have been installed prior to the warning period.  At the completion of the warning period, citations will begin to be issued. 

“The implementation of the Red Light Camera system is one example of this department’s commitment to use technology to improve our effectiveness and efficiency.  The use of the RLC system allows us to deploy our resources to other critical needs of our community while still addressing the risks associated with red light violations.  We are committed to the safety of our citizens and all who visit Brick Township.  The RLC system is a significant tool in our efforts to accomplish that commitment,” said Brick Police Chief Nils R. Bergquist.  “Other technologies that have been deployed or are planned for deployment include: a new Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System (CAD/RMS) which was put into service early last year; an Automated License Plate Reader should be in use within the next two months and an E-Ticketing System, which will save thousands of man hours a year and most importantly make traffic stops safer for officers and motorists.”

Brick Township was one of the first municipalities to be selected to participate in a five-year pilot program enacted by the state in January 2008 to determine the effectiveness and utilization of traffic control monitoring systems specifically for red light violations.  Brick Township was preliminarily approved for two intersections; Brick Blvd. / Chambers Bridge Road and State Hwy. 70 / Chambers Bridge Road.  Final approval on State Hwy. 70 and Chambers Bridge Road is anticipated in the near future. 

The ultimate goal of the Red Light Camera system is to prevent and eliminate crashes caused by red light violators at intersections with a high volume of crashes and violations.

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Brick Township Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis condemns the decision by the New Jersey Joint Budget Oversight Committee to transfer $44 million to a special municipal aid fund for distressed cities.  The New Jersey Local Finance Board is going to vote on Wednesday to award $121.5 million from the fund to Patterson, Union City, Bridgeton, Camden and Jersey City.

“To give handouts like this while the State is looking at a massive deficit is totally unconscionable,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “Decisions like this are the reason New Jersey is in the shape it is in today.”

“Instead of opening the taxpayer’s checkbook to help fund poorly managed cities, the State should be forcing them to make hard decision and cut costs,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “We did it in Brick Township and it is happening in towns throughout New Jersey.”

Over the past two years, Brick Township’s state aid has been reduced by $829,000.

“This is another example of the Democrats in Trenton giving handouts to their most loyal supporters while ignoring the rest of the State,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “Worse, they are hurting the rest of the State by slashing aid to schools and municipalities while giving tens of millions to favored cities.”

Mayor Acropolis says that the State should freeze spending until Governor-elect Chris Christie takes office.  “The Governor-elect is already looking at a budget crisis.  Every dollar the State gives away puts us one dollar deeper in the hole.  It is unfair to the next Governor and to people of New Jersey who voted for him to clean up the mess in Trenton.”

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