GLENDALE, Ariz. - The City of Glendale has decided not to move forward with a plan to install red light cameras. The city council met with Glendale Police Chief Rick St. John Tuesday afternoon to discuss findings from a red light camera study.
According to data the Maricopa Association of Governments sent to 12 News Tuesday, three of the top 15 riskiest intersections in the Valley are in Glendale. However, after studying the impact the cameras would have, the city is pumping the brakes on a plan.
St. John tells 12 News part of the reason why is because a new Arizona law could make monitoring the cameras a challenge. Starting in August, private companies can no longer issue the tickets. It is now up to law enforcement.
The chief says that would be a huge undertaking and the department would likely have to hire a full-time employee for each red light camera to keep up with the thousands of photos every month.
Right now, six cities across the Valley are using red light cameras. Enforcing them, however, can be tricky.
"If you happen to get a red light ticket in the mail, you can actually ignore it," said legal expert Monica Lindstrom.
Lindstrom says you can essentially throw your red light ticket in the trash if it just shows up in your mailbox. Cities have to go one step further in order to make the ticket stick.
"If the city is diligent that is issuing the ticket, they'll actually hire someone to come to your house and to knock on your door and hand it to you or someone else in your home. Once that happens, you're considered personally served and you're required to go to court," Lindstrom explained.