“A preliminary injunction is hereby issued, enjoining and prohibiting the city of New Orleans… and all others claiming to act on their behalf from implementing the automated traffic enforcement system or otherwise issuing speeding or red-light tickets using an automated commercial ticketing system,” Judge Irons ordered.
Attorney Edward R. Washington III argued that, as a matter of law, the program was illegal. The city immediately appealed the order on the grounds that it would lose a tremendous amount of money were the system to be shut down.
“Without the nearly $15 million in expected revenue from this source for next year and the remaining $5 million in anticipated fines for 2010, this decision, if upheld, will impact essential city services and could result in layoffs and the closing of city facilities,” City Attorney Nannette Jolivette-Brown said in a statement.
So yeah… red light and speeding cameras…. yeah… they’re all about public safety *wink wink*
Remember, like many things in life, follow the money to find the truth.
Stuff From Hsoi 
‘Cause, y’know, municipalities never existed before the never-ending revenue streams that are red light cameras.
And cutting “essential services” is obviously the only answer, rather than addressing the seeming-inevitable waste, overpaying of certain officials, and so forth that can plague cities.
*sigh* I guess they are at least honest…
I don’t know if that’s honest, or just greedy and trying to protect the teet they suckle at.