Alleged speeders have paid more than $1.5 million in fees for tickets that the village's unmanned speed-camera system issued, and the village has reaped about $700,000 of that, says Mike Allen, a lawyer who is asking a Hamilton County judge to shut down the system.Allen argues the speed-camera operation is unconstitutional and "nothing more than a money grab."
The judge's ruling, expected late this month, could be the nation's first to address the specific constitutional challenge at issue in this case, Allen said. The decision also could play a role in other communities that use the cameras or are considering using them, he said.While the cameras have gone into use in some places with little fanfare, in Elmwood Place, "people are mad," Allen said.
The Elmwood cameras have adversely affected citizens in some unexpected ways, Allen said, citing sworn statements from his clients, including:Craig Coburn, who drives through Elmwood to do work for the charity, Habitat for Humanity, and received at least four tickets, each assessing him a $105 fee.The Rev. Chau Pham, who says attendance at his church, Our Lady of Lavang Vietnamese Catholic Church, has declined by one-third "as our church members were afraid to come to church."
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