City Council
Verra Mobility’s red light cameras land on a list of 37 surveillance tools up for review.
As Pittsburgh readies more red light cameras, council wants to know more about their surveillance abilities. The city's transportation director said the cameras capture only license plates. He said the city owns the data and destroys it within 30 days after a case ends. On Sept. 9, council also advanced a bill letting drivers pay tickets online and request hearings by phone or internet.
Written by Amy Whipple
As Pittsburgh readies itself for the next round of automated red light enforcement (ARLE) cameras, city council has asked to know more about the technology’s surveillance capabilities.
The discussion during council’s Sept. 9 committee meeting came on the heels of receiving the Department of Innovation and Performance’s surveillance technology report. Verra Mobility, with which the city has the ARLE contract, is one of 37 surveillance technologies listed in the report that was compiled at council’s request.
Council Member Deb Gross of Highland Park, who has frequently expressed her concern about surveillance, said she is putting together a post agenda meeting with people who are advising cities on the technology.
Pittsburgh installed its first three ARLE cameras earlier this year. According to Jeff Skalican, Director of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI), the cameras are positioned to only capture license plates. The city owns the data and permanently destroys it within 30 days of the final disposition. Any other use of the cameras or data would be in violation of state law regarding ARLE.
Council Member Erika Strassburger of Squirrel Hill North said adherence to data retention policies should be scrutinized by a controller’s audit.
The legislation on the table — which council agreed to move forward — would update the city code pertaining to automatic red-light enforcement in order to streamline enforcement with the Pittsburgh Parking Authority. Changes include allowing for online payments and the ability to use the internet or phone to request a hearing to contest a ticket.
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