Mobile speed cameras suspended in Arizona after fatality

MikeB

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 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 was 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.
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Mike Barrett
Editor, PocketGPSWorld.com

MikeB · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 6:06 am Post subject:

Redflex have released the following press release about the incident. It would appear as if the vehicles cameras identified the killer's car.

mostdom · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:51 am Post subject:

All I can say is OMFG Shocked

Only in america.
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Dom

HERE LIES PND May it rest in peace.
Navigon 7310/iPhone Navigon&Copilot

Darren · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:12 am Post subject:

Only in America (I hope) Crying or Very sad

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Darren Griffin - Editor

MikeB · Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:05 am Post subject:

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.
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Mike Barrett
Editor, PocketGPSWorld.com

novemberman · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 05, 2007 Posts: 1

It will happen here in the near future. The traps are seen as highway robbers and that is what they are.

BigPerk · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:46 am Post subject:

I hope it doesn't - highway robbery is no justification for murder!
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David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360)

MikeB · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:52 am Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:57 am Post subject:

Quite. Anyone who cannot distinguish between the camera operator and the government who control them has serious issues.
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Darren Griffin - Editor

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