Man shoots red-light camera in self-defense

[Queasy]

The camera shot first!

Link

A Knoxville man accused of disabling a red light camera with a hunting rifle had been captured running the same traffic light five hours earlier, police said this morning.

Clifford E. Clark III, 47, of Wildercliff Lane in North Knox County is charged with felony vandalism and reckless endangerment. He is accused of shooting the red light camera at Broadway and Interstate 640 about 2 a.m. Nov. 25.

Just hours prior to the shooting, at 9:11 p.m. Nov. 24, that same red light camera recorded a picture of Clark allegedly running the red light at Broadway and I-640, Knoxville Police Department Capt. Gordon Catlett said this morning.

Catlett said KPD officers reviewed the alleged infraction and on Nov. 30 issued Clark a notice of violation. If Clark does not contest the violation, he must pay a $50 fine by Dec. 31, Catlett said.

Clark was arrested after officers patrolling around Broadway heard gunshots. When they investigated, they saw Clark leaving a business parking lot along Broadway and stopped the van he was driving. On the floorboard of the van officers found a .30-06 hunting rifle.

The red light camera had been shot three times and was out of commission for two days. Since it was first activated in September 2006, the camera at Broadway and I-640 has recorded nearly 7,000 incidents of vehicles disregarding the red light, police said.

At the time of Clark's arrest, police said Clark had never been cited for running a red light by the camera system. However, there is a delay of several days from the time the camera snaps the infraction to the time KPD officers review the incident and decide a violation occurred.

 

[Tylanner]

Lets see 47, that would put him at about 25 when Macgyver debuted.

Sounds about right.

 

[purbeast0]

lol thats pretty funny.

but i gotta say ... these damn speed cameras are freaking ridiculous. there are 2 of them on the way home from work for me, and i've never gotten a ticket and i never will, but they are just so stupid. all everyone does is go normal speed (5-10 over) and then slow down to the speed limit as they drive by the cameras, then they speed back up to what they were going. this happens daily, granted I've seen some people get tickets on the way home from work, usually atleast once a week heh.

 

[aplefka]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
lol thats pretty funny.

but i gotta say ... these damn speed cameras are freaking ridiculous. there are 2 of them on the way home from work for me, and i've never gotten a ticket and i never will, but they are just so stupid. all everyone does is go normal speed (5-10 over) and then slow down to the speed limit as they drive by the cameras, then they speed back up to what they were going. this happens daily, granted I've seen some people get tickets on the way home from work, usually atleast once a week heh.

I've never seen a speed camera before. What do they look like? Or is it just that thing that gives you your speed limit displayed as you drive by? Cuz I'm pretty sure those don't ticket you.

 

[Tiamat]

lol

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: aplefka

Originally posted by: purbeast0
lol thats pretty funny.

but i gotta say ... these damn speed cameras are freaking ridiculous. there are 2 of them on the way home from work for me, and i've never gotten a ticket and i never will, but they are just so stupid. all everyone does is go normal speed (5-10 over) and then slow down to the speed limit as they drive by the cameras, then they speed back up to what they were going. this happens daily, granted I've seen some people get tickets on the way home from work, usually atleast once a week heh.

I've never seen a speed camera before. What do they look like? Or is it just that thing that gives you your speed limit displayed as you drive by? Cuz I'm pretty sure those don't ticket you.

It's nothing like that at all.

When the light turns red, any vehicles detected in the intersection get a picture taken. If a tag is identified an automatic processing for red light running begins and mailed out.

A California town and a bunch of towns in Missouri were recently cited for setting the yellow 2 seconds under the minimum timing under traffic engineering guidelines.

That results in a lot more bogus infractions but of course results in a lot of extra revenue.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

He had been caught by that red light camera a few hours before he decided to shoot it. The Sentinel was the one that reported that back in November...wonder why they re-wrote the same story with different details.

Though I'm glad that camera was taken out. It'll "catch you" going through a yellow, even if you're out of the intersection before it turns red. Not to mention they're run by a private company who make a killing off of them.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: aplefka

Originally posted by: purbeast0
lol thats pretty funny.

but i gotta say ... these damn speed cameras are freaking ridiculous. there are 2 of them on the way home from work for me, and i've never gotten a ticket and i never will, but they are just so stupid. all everyone does is go normal speed (5-10 over) and then slow down to the speed limit as they drive by the cameras, then they speed back up to what they were going. this happens daily, granted I've seen some people get tickets on the way home from work, usually atleast once a week heh.

I've never seen a speed camera before. What do they look like? Or is it just that thing that gives you your speed limit displayed as you drive by? Cuz I'm pretty sure those don't ticket you.

There are camera with radar detectors in DC, if you are speeding they send you a ticket, no cop necessary.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Thank you and I love you my wife debi, Dad and family

I will miss you wherever I am

What's up with the sig Dave, you planning on offing yourself?

 

[Snapster]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
lol thats pretty funny.

but i gotta say ... these damn speed cameras are freaking ridiculous. there are 2 of them on the way home from work for me, and i've never gotten a ticket and i never will, but they are just so stupid. all everyone does is go normal speed (5-10 over) and then slow down to the speed limit as they drive by the cameras, then they speed back up to what they were going. this happens daily, granted I've seen some people get tickets on the way home from work, usually atleast once a week heh.

Yeh that's pretty much the case when they are first introduced, then the evolution of the speed camera start where speed camera's are linked together to calculate your average speed between two points....

 

[MisterJackson]

What if you're pulled into the intersection to turn left and the light turns red before/as you turn? Do they ticket for that too?

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: aplefka

Originally posted by: purbeast0
lol thats pretty funny.

but i gotta say ... these damn speed cameras are freaking ridiculous. there are 2 of them on the way home from work for me, and i've never gotten a ticket and i never will, but they are just so stupid. all everyone does is go normal speed (5-10 over) and then slow down to the speed limit as they drive by the cameras, then they speed back up to what they were going. this happens daily, granted I've seen some people get tickets on the way home from work, usually atleast once a week heh.

I've never seen a speed camera before. What do they look like? Or is it just that thing that gives you your speed limit displayed as you drive by? Cuz I'm pretty sure those don't ticket you.

It's nothing like that at all.

When the light turns red, any vehicles detected in the intersection get a picture taken. If a tag is identified an automatic processing for red light running begins and mailed out.

A California town and a bunch of towns in Missouri were recently cited for setting the yellow 2 seconds under the minimum timing under traffic engineering guidelines.

That results in a lot more bogus infractions but of course results in a lot of extra revenue.

heh he asked about speed cameras, not red light cameras.

the speed cameras are sitting in the median strip between the 2 sides of the road. and in both instances of the ones I've seen (which are in Maryland) there are signs saying "speed limit photo enforced".

you will see the cameras in a big box in the median strip, and past them you will see white dashed lines in the lanes, perpendicular to the lanes. if you are going past the speed limit (35 here) when you pass those lines, you will see a flash go off and it will take a pic of your car from the rear.

it's dumb though cause you can go 45 then slow down when you see that white line, then speed up after you pass it.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: aplefka

Originally posted by: purbeast0
lol thats pretty funny.

but i gotta say ... these damn speed cameras are freaking ridiculous. there are 2 of them on the way home from work for me, and i've never gotten a ticket and i never will, but they are just so stupid. all everyone does is go normal speed (5-10 over) and then slow down to the speed limit as they drive by the cameras, then they speed back up to what they were going. this happens daily, granted I've seen some people get tickets on the way home from work, usually atleast once a week heh.

I've never seen a speed camera before. What do they look like? Or is it just that thing that gives you your speed limit displayed as you drive by? Cuz I'm pretty sure those don't ticket you.

It's nothing like that at all.

When the light turns red, any vehicles detected in the intersection get a picture taken. If a tag is identified an automatic processing for red light running begins and mailed out.

A California town and a bunch of towns in Missouri were recently cited for setting the yellow 2 seconds under the minimum timing under traffic engineering guidelines.

That results in a lot more bogus infractions but of course results in a lot of extra revenue.

heh he asked about speed cameras, not red light cameras.

the speed cameras are sitting in the median strip between the 2 sides of the road. and in both instances of the ones I've seen (which are in Maryland) there are signs saying "speed limit photo enforced".

you will see the cameras in a big box in the median strip, and past them you will see white dashed lines in the lanes, perpendicular to the lanes. if you are going past the speed limit (35 here) when you pass those lines, you will see a flash go off and it will take a pic of your car from the rear.

it's dumb though cause you can go 45 then slow down when you see that white line, then speed up after you pass it.

Just go above 170. The camera won't even know you're there.

 

[AnnonUSA]

Red Light cameras and Speed cameras are all about revenue, not safety. When red light cameras began being deployed, they were often combined with shorter yellow light time cycles, maximizing the potential revenue each camera could generate.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: AnnonUSA
Red Light cameras and Speed cameras are all about revenue, not safety. When red light cameras began being deployed, they were often combined with shorter yellow light time cycles, maximizing the potential revenue each camera could generate.

i got caught by one that had shortened yellow light times about 6-7 years ago 🙁

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
What if you're pulled into the intersection to turn left and the light turns red before/as you turn? Do they ticket for that too?

Yes. That's illegal, as you are blocking th intersection (in Tennessee, at least).

 

[funboy6942]

SHIT! ITS COMING RIGHT FOR US!!!!!!

 

[FallenHero]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
What if you're pulled into the intersection to turn left and the light turns red before/as you turn? Do they ticket for that too?

Yes. That's illegal, as you are blocking th intersection (in Tennessee, at least).

Yeah that varies state to state. In IL its not.

BTW, I DON'T agree with red light cameras. It takes any sort of officer discretion out of the equation. Of course, some of ATOT dont think society needs police or that police should be emotionless...well this is the end result of those wants.

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
What if you're pulled into the intersection to turn left and the light turns red before/as you turn? Do they ticket for that too?

Yes. That's illegal, as you are blocking th intersection (in Tennessee, at least).

DON'T BLOCK THE BOX!

Sorry, I'm a DC driver, and I'm sick of seeing that sign.

 

[Shawn]

Guess he figured that camera stored the pictures... dumbass.

 

[imported_Shivetya]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: aplefka

Originally posted by: purbeast0
lol thats pretty funny.

but i gotta say ... these damn speed cameras are freaking ridiculous. there are 2 of them on the way home from work for me, and i've never gotten a ticket and i never will, but they are just so stupid. all everyone does is go normal speed (5-10 over) and then slow down to the speed limit as they drive by the cameras, then they speed back up to what they were going. this happens daily, granted I've seen some people get tickets on the way home from work, usually atleast once a week heh.

I've never seen a speed camera before. What do they look like? Or is it just that thing that gives you your speed limit displayed as you drive by? Cuz I'm pretty sure those don't ticket you.

It's nothing like that at all.

When the light turns red, any vehicles detected in the intersection get a picture taken. If a tag is identified an automatic processing for red light running begins and mailed out.

A California town and a bunch of towns in Missouri were recently cited for setting the yellow 2 seconds under the minimum timing under traffic engineering guidelines.

That results in a lot more bogus infractions but of course results in a lot of extra revenue.

Actually based on the ones work here, you have to cross the white line after it goes red to get a ticket. Being in the intersection when it turns red is legal. As such the camera takes several pictures showing you on the other side of the line when the light was red, you crossing it while its red, and one last as you pass through the intersection. If you stop across the line, but don't continue through you don't get a ticket.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Thank you and I love you my wife debi, Dad and family

I will miss you wherever I am

What's up with the sig Dave, you planning on offing yourself?

No, facing being on the street, no house, no car, no nothing.

You know the homeless you see in many cities?

Hell I just got turned down for $9.51hr call center rep job after taking and passing their two hour test a month ago and last week a two hour interview.

This the same company I spent the last three years installing the E911 system in their switches all across the country for $52hr.

They would not give a reason which I feel I at least deserve.

If I did something wrong I should at least be told what it is so that I could work on correcting it.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: AnnonUSA
Red Light cameras and Speed cameras are all about revenue, not safety. When red light cameras began being deployed, they were often combined with shorter yellow light time cycles, maximizing the potential revenue each camera could generate.

I agree. Although red light cameras are in principle more about safety than speed cameras, once they start shortening the yellow light, it's clear where their priorities lie.

A friend of mine got a red-light camera ticket in the mail a few days ago. There were three pictures included. In the first picture, she's stopped at the line, brake lights lit. In the second picture, her right blinker is on and she's turning onto the street. In the third picture, she's completed her turn and is heading off to the right.

Gee, that was TOTALLY not legal.:roll:

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
No, facing being on the street, no house, no car, no nothing.

You know the homeless you see in many cities?

Hell I just got turned down for $9.51hr call center rep job after taking and passing their two hour test a month ago and last week a two hour interview.

This the same company I spent the last three years installing the E911 system in their switches all across the country for $52hr.

They would not give a reason which I feel I at least deserve.

If I did something wrong I should at least be told what it is so that I could work on correcting it.

Never really liked you, but I wouldn't wish this kind of stuff on my worse enemy.

Good luck with getting things back together.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
What if you're pulled into the intersection to turn left and the light turns red before/as you turn? Do they ticket for that too?

Yes. That's illegal, as you are blocking th intersection (in Tennessee, at least).

Not illegal in WA. If you are in the intersection and your light turns red, you have the right of way to turn to get out of the intersection.