In the small city of West Miami, red light cameras have become a significant source of revenue, contributing to over 15% of the city’s total income. This equates to $1.45 million from just six cameras, making them the second-largest revenue source after property taxes in a town with a population of approximately 7,000. The total estimated revenue for West Miami this year is $9.2 million.
A new law aimed at increasing transparency in red light camera programs has prompted a review of their financial impact across South Florida. WLRN’s analysis revealed that West Miami is particularly dependent on these funds, more so than any other city in the region.
Police officer Ricardo Roque, responsible for reviewing red light camera footage, shared that he processes between 3,000 to 3,500 reviews per month, with about 3,000 resulting in citations. Many citations are later dismissed during public hearings, which are mandatory for those contesting their tickets. These hearings are overseen by private attorney Marcos Martinez.
Martinez pointed out that West Miami, being a critical connection point between larger jurisdictions like Miami and Coral Gables, experiences significant traffic issues. He noted that many drivers receive citations for performing a “Miami right” – a slow rolling right turn on a red light, which, while technically illegal, is a common practice in the area. Martinez often dismisses these citations if they are performed carefully and prudently.
One notable exception involved a driver who performed a slow-rolling right turn during dark, rainy conditions, nearly hitting a pedestrian in the crosswalk. The pedestrian was dressed in black and narrowly avoided the vehicle. This driver, who did not attend the hearing, was fined, with Martinez emphasizing the program’s role in protecting pedestrians.
Martinez theorized that West Miami’s reliance on red light camera revenue is understandable given its small size. The city’s mayor, Eric Diaz Padron, declined to comment on the matter.
Other South Florida cities also derive significant revenue from red light cameras. Opa-Locka, with a population of about 16,000, expects 12.5% of its revenue from these cameras, amounting to $2.8 million out of a total $22.3 million. Medley, a small industrial city with around 1,000 residents, expects over 6% of its revenue from the cameras, translating to $2,000 per resident.
Miami Gardens, the largest South Florida city using red light cameras, anticipates over $2.8 million in revenue from them this year. Yet, this slice of the pie is under 2% of its $143 million budget. Safety’s the buzzword for red light cameras, but a 2022 state study sings a different tune: crashes, especially rear-end smashes, spike at camera-clad intersections ’cause drivers slam brakes to dodge tickets. Public backlash followed, with cameras getting the boot in places like Sweetwater and Doral.
Republican State Rep. David Borrero, the voice for Sweetwater and Doral, has been banging the drum against these programs, pushing for their ouster. Despite the legal wrangling and the public grumbles, a statewide red light camera ban has always stalled in the legislature. But fresh winds blew in May with Governor Ron DeSantis signing a law for more transparency in these schemes.
Championed by State Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera and State Sen. Alexis Calatayud, the law insists cities using these cameras churn out yearly reports on fine revenue. These reports must be out in the open, and future deals with camera companies need public nods and community chatter. Cities ignoring these rules face a shutdown of their red light camera gigs.
Kicking in on July 1, this law marks a big leap toward more accountability and transparency in Florida’s red light camera realm.
