City of South Pasadena Red Light Warning

The City of South Pasadena, Florida, is becoming the "Waldo" of Pinellas County.  They have set up a red light camera where there shouldn't be one - in the turning lane Pasadena Avenue South and Shore Drive South.  Shore Drive South is really just the driveway into the Palms of Pasadena Hospital.  While there are red lights that control traffic continuing on Pasadena Avenue South, there is none in the turning lane into the hospital.  Granted, they have a sign a distance back saying to stop on red, but there is no red light in front of that lane.  The charge is $158, but gets very expensive if you want a hearing, which would be before a person who is not a judge and is appointed by the City.

No Red Light Over Turning Lane.  The lights above are for vehicles entering from Shore Drive South which have a green light.  The sign "Stop Here on Red" is by the far left lane - none by the turning lane.

Florida Statutes 316.0083 provides, in part : "A notice of violation and a traffic citation may not be issued for failure to stop at a red light if the driver is making a right-hand turn in a careful and prudent manner at an intersection where right-hand turns are permissible"

The District Court of Appeal of the State of Florida, Fourth District, in effect ruled out the use of right light prosecutions which are instituted by an Arizona company that contracts with the municipalities for a piece of fine. (No. 4D12-1312, decided October 15, 2014).  Based on that appellate decision, the Pinellas County Sheriff, in December, 2014, terminated his agency's participation in the program.  See:

http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/investigations/2014/12/05/oldsmar-south-pasadena-suspend-red-light-camera-programs/19946673/

What to do?  Avoid doing business in the City of South Pasadena until the business community tells the city officials to stop gouging the public!

If you have received a Notice of Violation recently, please let me know.  mhonig1@gmail.com

UPDATE:  The Notice of Violation issued to me showed a reproduction signature of Thomas Edwards, ID# 938, which is in the "Sheriff's Office" section of the notice, as the traffic enforcement officer.  On March 6, 2015, in response to a written inquiry concerning the status of Mr. Edwards, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office advised me that Mr. Edwards is not in fact an employee or deputy of that agency, and that they were going to contact the Arizona contractor to correct the form.

Later I learned that Mr. Edwards was not even hired by the City as its enforcement officer until after February 3, 2015, and agreed to pay him a flat fee of $1,500.00 per month.  The City Attorney said that American Traffic Solutions would work with Mr. Edwards to train him on the red light camera system.