Politics & Government

Judge Dismisses Arnold Red-Light Camera Suit

While an appeal may be in the works, Arnold's city administrator said the latest ruling "proves what we've been saying the whole time," that the ordinance was written properly.

A lawsuit claiming the use of red-light cameras in Arnold is unconstitutional was dismissed in Jefferson County court last week.

Circuit Court Judge Mark Stoll ruled in favor of a request from the City of Arnold and its red-light camera operator, American Traffic Solution, to reject the plaintiff Jeff Brunner's claim that red-light ordinances conflict with state law, according to a release from American Traffic Solutions.

The plaintiffs, being represented by Simon Law Firm, were ordered to pay defendants’ legal costs.

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The ruling certainly suits the city.

"It proves what we've been saying the whole time, that it was written properly. It's been defended three times now," City Administrator Robert Shockey said.

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Red-light camera suits through the firm have been dismissed in Creve Coeur and Florissant. A Jackson County judge in Kansas City in June.

An appeal may already be in the works, according to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. A lawyer with Simon Law Firm told the newspaper they plan to appeal this case in addition to the three other dismissals.

Arnold was the first city in the state to install red-light cameras. Missouri Department of Transportation data showed after installation, according to a previous Patch report.

However, Shockey said red light tickets are back down.

"People are paying more attention. It's saving lives," he said.

The Arnold City Council passed an ordinance in July to use for the city’s safety programs. Shockey said he expected $50,000 in revenue from red-light violations this fiscal year.

 

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