City of Montgomery ends use of controversial speed car cameras

The City of Montgomery‘s controversial use of speeding cameras in unmanned police cars came to an end at the beginning of July.

The cameras were placed in empty police cars. If you were speeding past the police car, the camera would take a picture of your license plate and you would receive a ticket in the mail.

On Wednesday, Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange sent a letter to the City of Montgomery stating his opinion, “that the City must cease operating the system” and the city agreed to comply with the AG.

Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange, a proponent of the speed cameras, had previously said they were “a tremendous force multiplier that supplement manned enforcement by our traffic officers while allowing other police personnel to fight crime, protect, and serve,” explaining “our neighborhoods, our schools, and our children” would stand to lose the most.

The city will shift its focus to officers on motor bikes who will now be giving out tickets.

“Now all of sudden the fine triples, it goes on your record,” Strange said. “That’s what the Legislature wanted, and that’s what they’re going to get because, at the end of the day, we’ve got to do things that slow traffic down. It’s never been about the revenue.”

The removal of Montgomery’s speed car cameras comes after state lawmakers banned their use in the city during the last legislative session, with Gov. Robert Bentley signing the bill into law in April.