Wieland Wants Audit of Arnold's Red-Light Camera Ticket Payments

Rep. Paul Wieland (R-Imperial) has asked Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich to audit Arnold’s handling of red-light camera tickets.

About 1,200 people who paid their red-light camera tickets in prior years received letters, earlier this month, saying that their fines were unpaid. No information was available about the ticket holders' residences.

A computer error issued the letters, said a City of Arnold news release.

“I think it is important that we make sure funds weren’t collected on already paid tickets,” Wieland said in a separate news release issued Thursday.

Weiland said several people called or emailed his office and were confused about the letter from the City of Arnold. The people asked their banks or financial institutions for proof they paid the tickets.

“Citizens expect their city government to be accurate and honest,” he said.

Weiland is asking that the state auditor check Arnold’s records for payment receipts so that people who paid the fines will no longer receive collection letters.

Wieland also filed HB 1528, also called the Intersection Safety Act, in the Missouri House Thursday, in relation to the audit request.

The bill has seven requiements:

• Red-light camera tickets be reported the Missouri Department of Revenue
• Drivers receiving the tickets be assessed points on their driver’s license
• MoDOT must create the minimum time for yellow lights on traffic signals
• Areas using red-light cameras to send the ticket money to local school districts
• Prohibits cities, using the cameras, from sending collection letters for one year after the violation occurs
• Requires MoDOT to create rules and regulations on the use of red-light cameras.

Weiland's bill would remove driver's licenses from repeat red-light offenders.

Arnold Undergoes Multiple Audits

Arnold City Administrator Matt Unrein said that the city already goes through multiple audits.

"The Missouri State Highway Patrol recently audited Arnold and said that everything was fine," Unrein said in a phone interview.

The state auditors office last visited Arnold in 2008 and recommended the city increase its computer use to verify all payments recieved and reciepts issued, Unrein said.

The City of Arnold will conduct an internal manual audit to assure proper handling of the the 35,000 red-light camera tickets issued since 2005, he said.

In terms of the proposed legislation, Unrein said assessing driver's license points for red-light camera violations might further change driving habits. 

Arnold currently assesses no points for red-light camera tickets.

Unrein also said that red-light camera ticket money should go towards improving city safety programs.

Schools, books and teachers salaries are important, he said.

Red-light cameras are used to reduce car wrecks at dangerous intersections.