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upreme Court Justices Probe Minnapolis Photo Cop System
March 19, 2007

The Minnesota state Supreme Court justices are examining the Minneapolis'
Stop on Red program, questioning whether it conflicts with state law because
it issues tickets to the owner a vehicle that runs a red light _ even if
someone else was driving.

Justice Sam Hanson said there are only a few instances under state law in
which an owner can be held liable for what a driver does with his or her
car, including failing to stop for a school bus and failing to yield to
emergency vehicles.

"None of them involve running a red light,'' he said.

"I would encourage this court not to take such a narrow view,'' said Mary
Ellen Heng, a Minneapolis city attorney.

Heng told the court that the city has about 12,000 traffic accidents each
year, and regulating traffic is essential to keep people safe.

The city of Minneapolis started the photo cop system in 2005, but suspended
it last year after the American Civil Liberties Union challenged it in
Hennepin County Court.

The program, also called PhotoCop, placed cameras at 12 dangerous
intersections in the city that snapped photos of a vehicle's license plate
as it blew through a red light.

Lawmakers have drafted bills this session that could eliminate the potential
conflict between state and local laws.

One justice, Alan C. Page, recused himself from Monday's arguments because
one of his relatives had received a photo cop ticket.

The attorneys in the case said they expect a decision within three months

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