PREVIOUS COVERAGE | City plans six more red-light cameras despite lawsuit

BRADENTON — Despite a pending lawsuit, more red light cameras are expected to be installed at city intersections, according to Bradenton officials.

So far, three cameras are installed at two city intersections. This month a fourth camera will be installed for eastbound traffic at the intersection of 15th Street West and Manatee Avenue West, bringing the number of intersections covered by the cameras to three, said Bradenton Police Traffic Sgt. Brian Thiers.

“It makes people way more aware of their surroundings in and around the intersection,” he said.

Between the three cameras already in place, a vehicle runs a red light an average of about once an hour, he said.

The first traffic camera was installed Aug. 9 and as of Wednesday afternoon, 807 citations had been sent to car owners captured running a red light at First Street and Manatee Avenue West in downtown Bradenton.

A citation was sent to Jamie S. Rosenberg after a Lexus SUV registered to him went through a red light while heading west on Manatee Avenue West on the morning of Nov. 10. The light was red for .60 seconds before the SUV proceeded through, according to records.

Rosenberg, of Bradenton, who is a prosecutor at the State Attorney’s Office, is listed as suing the city, according to a complaint filed in court this week. The suit claims the cameras are unconstitutional.

Rosenberg, when reached for comment Friday, said the lawsuit was news to him.

“I never had any communication or correspondence with the attorney,” said Rosenberg. “I’m suing the city of Bradenton, and I didn’t even know about it.”

Rosenberg said he went online to an attorney’s Web site and submitted his ticket information in hopes of getting his fine back if the cameras are ruled unconstitutional. He said he didn’t realize that meant he would be initiating the lawsuit.

“I intend to withdraw my name from the lawsuit on Monday,” he said.

The suit is based on the premise that the fees are levied based on city ordinance rather than state law, and the cameras assume the vehicle owner is driving at the time of the violation.

“The municipalities are trying to usurp (state) power by making this a code violation,” said Jason Weisser, Rosenberg’s West Palm Beach-based attorney, who has 18 other similar suits filed in other Florida municipalities dealing with red light cameras.

Weisser, who was away from his office Friday, said he not sure about the number of people who petitioned to become a part of the class action lawsuit. In order for the lawsuit to move forward, there has to be violator pursing it in court.

Rosenberg paid the $125 ticket, according to records. If the citation is not paid, the fee increases by $25 and it’s possible the vehicle owner could be reported to a credit agency. Out of the $125, $92.50 goes to the city.

As of Wednesday, the city has potentially made nearly $75,000 through the civil fees since the first camera was set up.