For Immediate Release:

August 14, 2014

Contact:

Matt Lettelleir

[address removed]

[masked]

Jason Denny Calls for Red Light Camera Review

(Austin, TX)- This morning, Jason Denny, Candidate for Austin City Council- District 5, calls on the Austin City Council to immediately suspend all Red Light Camera ticketing and conduct a review of the program.  This call to action comes on the heels of a report that Karen Finley, former CEO of Redflex Traffic Systems (the vendor of our Red Light Camera system), has been arrested on charges of conspiracy linked to that company’s relationship with the City of Chicago and their Red Light Camera system.

“I want to make certain that the original contract the city entered into with Redflex was not the result of nefarious actions on the part of city staff or office holders,” Denny stated. “Red Light Cameras are a highly controversial subject and before 1 more person gets a ticket, deserved or not, we must make certain that the City of Austin has not been victimized.” 

According to a report by local NBC affiliate KXAN, the city has collected over $3.5 million from September 2008 (when the camera program began) through April 2014. Proponents argue that cameras reduce red light accidents by prompting drivers to observe extra caution when approaching a yellow light instead of speeding through. Opponents argue that more “rear ending” accidents are caused due to people stopping short at yellow lights.  There are also 6^th Amendment questions stemming from the “Confrontation Clause” which states that the accused has a right to confront his or her accuser.

“Austin should be safe for all residents and visitors but the systems that are put in place must be free from all controversy, especially if the system installation was possibly the result of illegal or even questionable activity,” charged Denny spokesman, Matt Lettelleir. “It’s one thing to get a ticket and pay a fine. It’s a whole other story if that fine is lining the pockets of a city employee or elected official.”

Jason Denny was born and raised in Corpus Christi and moved to Austin during his eight-year service in the United States Marine Corps. For the past 10 years, Jason, along with his wife and two children have been actively engaged in the Austin community. He works at the Texas General Land Office – Texas Veterans Land Board where he specializes in accounting, finance and veterans benefits.

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Pol. Adv. Paid for by Denny for District 5

P.O. Box[masked] Austin, TX 78715

This campaign has not agreed to comply with the contribution and expenditure limits of the Austin Fair Campaign Charter