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<br />....:"".,~. -.. ._,' , <br /> <br />6.1D <br />Page 6 <br /> <br />The Redwood City Police Deparbnent (RWCPD) compiled data of the number of collisions that <br />occurred at those intersections over a five-year period from January 1, 2001 through DeCember 31, <br />2005. The data also included the number of collisions involving vehicles that entered the <br />intersections in violation of the red light traffic laws. The data was presented to the Redwood City <br />City Council (Council) with the request. to install cameras. Since public safety is of paramount <br />importance to the Council, it granted approval in 2007. (Attachment 2) <br /> <br />The R WCPD installed a camera at one intersection under its exclusive jurisdiction. The camera is <br />located in the eastbound direction of Whipple Avenue at Veterans Boulevard. During the five-year <br />period mentioned above, there were 76 collisions, of which 64 involved vehicles traveling <br />eastbound on Whipple A venue. The camera started capturing violations in February 2008. <br />Violators were given warnings for 30 days prior to citations being issued, complying with the Code. <br /> <br />Investigation <br /> <br />To conduct its investigation, the 2008-2009 San Mateo Civil Grand Jury interviewed officials from <br />the Redwood City City Council and the Redwood City Police Deparbnent. The Grand Jury <br />reviewed the minutes of the Redwood City City Council; read newspaper articles published in the <br />San Mateo Daily News, the Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Examiner, and the San Mateo Daily <br />Journal; reviewed California Codes relating to photo enforcement red light camera citations, <br />specifically the Government, Penal, and Vehicle Codes; read articles posted on public websites; and <br />visited the intersection to note configuration and signage. <br /> <br />Consideration as to the potential financial stream from the .fines paid for these violations was <br />considered. However, due to insufficient data related to the program's income and expenses, <br />discussion was limited solely to whether the photo enforcement camera increased traffic safety at <br />the one intersection in Redwood City. <br /> <br />Findings <br /> <br />The 2008-2009 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury found that: <br /> <br />. Redwood City currently has one camera. The RWCPD also requested approval from Caltrans <br />for installation of cameras at three Caltrans intersections which have a history of frequent <br />collisions involving red light violations. <br /> <br />. Currently, there is no photo enforcement notification sign alerting traffic traveling eastbound on <br />Whipple A venue towards Veterans Boulevard. There are signs posted at all major entry points <br />into Redwood City, as well as, southbound Veterans Boulevard before and after the intersection <br />at Whipple Avenue. There is a pole on eastbound Whipple Avenue that appears to have <br />sufficient space for the addition of a sign notifying drivers that the intersection is monitored by a <br />camera. <br /> <br />2 <br />