The city of Kent’s red-light camera system is on.
A 30-day warning period officially began Saturday, July 13 and continues through Aug. 11. Drivers who run through a red light will receive a written warning in the mail during that period, after which violators will receive a $136 infraction in the mail.
The system was delayed due to what police said were “technical challenges beyond our control.” Police had planned to start the program July 1 at three intersections.
Crews have installed signs at the intersections to alert drivers to the red-light cameras.
The initial plan released in June included cameras July 1 at:
• Central Avenue North and East Smith Street: northbound and southbound
• Central Avenue North and East James Street: northbound and eastbound
• Kent Des Moines Road and Pacific Highway South: eastbound
The second phase will include cameras at:
• 104th Avenue SE and SE 240th Street: eastbound and westbound
• 104th Avenue SE and SE 256th Street: northbound and eastbound
• 84th Avenue South and S 212th Street: northbound and southbound
The City Council in November approved a five-year contract with Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions (ATS) Inc., for as much as $651,000 per year for camera installation and maintenance along with the processing and mailing of infractions. ATS is the same company the city contracts with about $367,000 per year for school traffic zone cameras to catch speeding drivers.
The city will use revenue from the red-light program – estimated at about $1 million to $2 million per year – to fund the purchase later this year of body-worn cameras for 105 officers, another new program in the city.
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