Chicago DUI attorney comments on the boycott of red light cameras

This Chicago DUI attorney has posted here, here, and here about red light cameras.  She’s even posted here about the changes in immigration law in Arizona.  However, even she’s surprised by this take on a boycott of Arizona.

May 28, Chicago, IL

 Hispanic aldermen pushing for a boycott of all things Arizona to protest that state's controversial immigration law might hit a red light.

Chicago's 189 red-light cameras were installed by Arizona-based Redflex Traffic Systems, which put in the cameras and road sensors. It also operates the software and mails out the $100 tickets along with photographic evidence of the alleged red-light running.

In 2008, the Daley administration signed a five-year, $52 million contract with Redflex that cut the cost of each camera system from $100,000 to $24,500. It also included maintenance for cameras installed after Oct. 22, 2008.

But the "proprietary nature of the technology" kept the city from including operations and maintenance for the 136 original camera systems. That's why Redflex has a separate five-year, $32 million contract just to maintain those 136.

Chicago's Hispanic aldermen have introduced two resolutions responding to Arizona's immigration crackdown. One would condemn an Arizona law they view as "racist." The other calls for a boycott. City Council hearings have not yet been scheduled.

Arizona isn’t South Africa during the apartheid years (yes, I understand that some may argue to the contrary).  Although I don’t like the red light cameras and I believe there seems to be a jingoistic approach to law enforcement in Arizona when it comes to this new law, I don’t believe that punishing companies that were based in Arizona prior to the new state law's enactment is particularly effective.