Operator of Victorville red-light cameras facing lawsuit

VICTORVILLE • Redflex, the company that operates the city’s red-light enforcement cameras, is facing a lawsuit in Arizona for using unauthorized equipment.

The Australia-based company also had the license of one of its notary publics revoked earlier this year after Cheryl Krough was found to have falsified documents, according to a statement from Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer’s office.

Victorville spokeswoman Yvonne Hester said she wasn’t aware of any lawsuits related to Redflex, but said she wasn’t able to comment further on any pending litigation that might impact the city.

Hester said that to her knowledge the city hasn’t had any problems or concerns with Redflex or its camera systems.

Redflex is being sued by competitor American Traffic Solutions, which claims the company uses a radar detector that isn’t certified by the Federal Communications Commission.

In addition, a press release from American Traffic Solutions states, “At the proper time, ATS plans to prove in the United States District Court in Phoenix that Redflex made false statements and engaged in unfair competition.”

A press release from Redflex states that the company “rejects the allegations in the lawsuit and intends to vigorously defend itself against the claims asserted.”

Victorville began issuing $391 traffic tickets through Redflex’s camera system in April. In July, Sgt. John Mattke with the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department’s Victorville station reported 6,000 tickets had been issued as a result of the city’s 12 monitored intersections.

Mattke also reported that injury and fatal accidents were down 42 percent compared to the same time last year, while overall collisions were down 21 percent.

The Daily Press has requested updated ticket counts three times over the past three weeks from the sheriff’s Victorville station. So far, no data has been provided.

Meanwhile Redflex continues to expand its territory, recently installing red-light cameras in Rancho Cucamonga and Corona.

The company has contracts with 225 cities across the United States, according to its Web site, Redflex.com.

Brooke Edwards may be reached at 955-5358 or at bedwards@VVDailyPress.com.