Red-light cameras turned off in Daytona Beach

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The city of Daytona Beach won't be issuing drivers any red-light camera violations in the immediate future.
 
City officials said they have suspended the program because of what's happening in South Florida.
 
The city turned the cameras off several weeks ago after a district court of appeal in South Florida ruled that a camera company shouldn't be allowed  to determine what is or is not a  violation.
 
While the ruling works its way through the court system, drivers in Daytona Beach aren't facing tickets from the cameras.
 
"So they are just wasting our time freaking people out? That's crazy," driver Dan Duddleston said.
 
In May City Commissioner Patrick Henry voted against renewing the contract red-light camera company Gatso.
 
"I'm not going to say, 'I told you so,' but  there was a concern that we were going to  get involved in it and look, here we are," Henry said.
 
Now the question on the mind of some is whether taxpayers will be on the hook to pay for a program that once paid for itself through fines.
 
A city representative said the city is holding off paying the camera company until the litigation in South Florida is settled and the cameras, they hope, can be turned back on.
 
"Truly, I hope we come out on the winning end of it, but the ultimate thing could be that we could end up having to reimburse money to people," Henry said.
 
City officials said they don't know when or even if the cameras will be turned back on. They said it will depend on how the courts ultimately decide on the issue.
 
Each camera cost the city $4,200 a month to operate and the city has 18 cameras.

WFTV