From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
Cedar Rapids says its revenue from traffic cameras has dropped by $1.5 million since Iowa reduced the number of cameras the city can use. The city says it is budgeting $5.5 million in traffic camera ticket fines in fiscal year 2025.
Iowa lawmakers are taking another look at traffic cameras; this time, they could change how cities can collect money from the tickets issued. If you get a traffic camera ticket, a portion of the money you pay could be going to outside companies. Those who support vendors collecting the fines say it’s more economical, but Forest City Republican State Representative Henry Stone, the bill’s sponsor, says he’d rather have Iowans do the job. Right now, Cedar Rapids contracts with Sensys Gatso, a Swedish company, to administer the program. The city gives the company $18 per paid speeding ticket.
Other bills are advancing in the Iowa Legislature. A House subcommittee has passed a bill limiting when a police mugshot is released. It would only be released after a person is convicted, not after the arrest. A Senate subcommittee advanced a bill banning cities from having citizen review boards for police departments, and a hands-free driving bill will be up for debate in a subcommittee this week. Under that bill, drivers would not be allowed to video call, stream video, text, or read notifications.
U.S. Marshals arrested an Iowa man in Indonesia. He was wanted for sexually exploiting a child. The U.S. Marshals Service says 32-year-old Trevor Collison is in custody. Collison fled the U.S. after officers searched his Little Sioux home in connection with a child sexual exploitation investigation. Marshals tracked him across a number of South Pacific countries, eventually finding him in Indonesia. He faces federal charges of sexual exploitation of a child, and possession of child pornography.
Linn County Emergency management says it will test its outdoor warning signs today after they malfunctioned the last two weeks. A system malfunction caused the sirens to go off. Technicians have been working to resolve the issue with the siren vendor.
