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Mobile speed cameras suspended in Arizona after fatality
Redflex Traffic Systems who operate the mobile speed cameras for Arizona have suspended operations in the state after one of its operators was shot and killed this weekend.
Whilst tempers flare and there is a lot of opposition to cameras in the UK, with the occasional camera being sabotaged, but physically attacking the operator of a mobile camera van would be unheard of. Part of the difference is that in the UK we are resigned to spread of cameras and whilst in general we dont approve we grudgingly accept it. Over in the USA the topic of speed and redlight enforcement is much more heated.
The report from the Triangle Business Journal follows...
Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. is pulling the its speed enforcement vans off Arizona roads following the shooting death of one of its drivers over the weekend.
The move likely will be temporary as the company and its employees deal with the murder of Doug Geogianni, 51, who killed Sunday night while manning one of the photo radar vehicles along Loop 101 in Phoenix.
“The entire Redflex family is grief-stricken for Doug and his loved ones,” said Karen Finley, CEO of Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. “We will continue to dedicate every resource to work with the police to help identify and apprehend the person who took Doug’s life. In the meantime, with the cooperation of Arizona Department of Public Safety, we have removed all mobile photo enforcement units from the road until further notice.”
DPS Safety Director Roger Vanderpool called the shooting “appalling.”
The highway speed program debuted last fall with stationary and mobile speed cameras. Redflex has a contract with the state to provide up to 100 camera systems and vehicles as the program rolls out.
The program has met with some opposition, ranging from vandals who blocked the speed cameras with tape and paper to bills in the Legislature aimed at altering the program.
DPS officials said it is too early in the shooting investigation to say what the department will do going forward and how it may affect the program.
The above article was reproduced from the Triangle Business Journal. Check out the comments at the end of their article to see how much the speed cameras are hated in the Phoenix area.
| Comments
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 Posted by MikeB on Wed Apr 22, 2009 5:06 am |
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Redflex have released the following press release about the incident. It would appear as if the vehicles cameras identified the killer's car.
| Quote: | Redflex Traffic Systems Releases Statement about Employee Fatality
22 April 2009
On Sunday, April 19, REDFLEX employee Douglas Georgianni was shot and killed whilst performing his
duties on the Loop 101 Freeway in Phoenix, Arizona.
Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Redflex Holdings Limited, is under contract with
the Arizona Department of Public Safety (“DPS”) to operate mobile photo enforcement vehicles to enforce
speed limits on state roads. Georgianni was a REDFLEX photo enforcement vehicle operator.
"The entire REDFLEX family is grief-stricken for Doug and his loved ones," said Karen Finley, CEO of
Redflex Traffic Systems. "We continue to mourn this horrific loss as we extend our support to his family.”
Police arrested a man on April 20th in connection with the fatal shooting, and are considering bringing
appropriate charges for murder. The arrest came after the shooter’s vehicle was captured on streaming
video taken by the mobile photo enforcement vehicle, and then identified by some outstanding police work.
All mobile photo enforcement vehicles operated by REDFLEX employees have been removed from the state
of Arizona as Phoenix Police Department and DPS investigate the shooting. Other photo enforcement
vendors operating in Arizona have also temporarily suspended mobile photo enforcement operations.
REDFLEX photo enforcement vehicles in Louisiana, the only other state where the vehicles are operated by
REDFLEX employees, have been put on hold until further notice whilst the consequences of this tragic act
are considered.
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Mike Barrett |
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| Posted by mostdom on Wed Apr 22, 2009 6:51 am |
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All I can say is OMFG 
Only in america.
Dom
HERE LIES PND May it rest in peace.
Navigon 7310/iPhone Navigon&Copilot |
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| Posted by Darren on Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:12 am |
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Only in America (I hope) 
Darren Griffin |
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| Posted by MikeB on Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:05 am |
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After talking to a person from RedFlex yesterday at the Traffex Expo it sounds as if this was a pre-meditated attack. The person that was arrested drove past the camera van 4 times before opening fire. He must have known that it was a manned vehicle.
Mike Barrett |
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| Posted by novemberman on Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:57 am |
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It will happen here in the near future. The traps are seen as highway robbers and that is what they are.
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| Posted by BigPerk on Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:46 am |
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I hope it doesn't - highway robbery is no justification for murder!
David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360) |
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| Posted by MikeB on Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:52 am |
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| novemberman Wrote: | | It will happen here in the near future. The traps are seen as highway robbers and that is what they are. |
Not that I am trying to justify them, but they do only 'rob' you if you are breaking the law. If you drive within the speed limits you only get fleeced for petrol, tax, and insurance.
Mike Barrett |
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| Posted by Darren on Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:57 am |
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Quite. Anyone who cannot distinguish between the camera operator and the government who control them has serious issues.
Darren Griffin |
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