<p>Police departments do not get fine money - EVER. You pay county or city clerks. The only exception I know of is a $2 training surcharge on regular traffic tickets. AND this money must (via external audits) be spent on extra training for officers.</p>
<p>In fact these cameras are installed and managed by a private company. The photos have to be verified by an officer, but no real discretion is involved.</p>
<p>Again, cops don’t benefit from an arrest or a ticket. Legislators (aka politicians) make laws. Police (executive) enforce them. Judicial interprets and ultimately fines you.</p>
<p>People in college should know this. Basic separation of powers stuff here… </p>
<p>If people don’t like/want these cameras they need to speak up in the appropriate forum. I see all kinds of editorials and anonymous complaining about things like this. Speak to your council/commission as soon as you hear it may come to your town. The same effort that went into making a law is what is needed to remove a law.</p>
<p>As you may have noticed I have strong opinions on Cops getting the blame for politicians. People mistakenly blame the government when the problem is most often the politicians.</p>