Buffalo resident files public integrity complaint against NYSDOT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Buffalo resident Patrick Freeman and his daughter were both issued a ticket by an automated camera this week near the Main Street overpass on Route 198, which has been receiving backlash from neighbors.

The complaints aren’t about loud noise or dust, but the construction zone speeding camera that’s been snapshotting and fining residents.

As a former police officer, Freeman said he knows the difference between safety and a scam. He said with merging traffic, a difficult Parkside exit ramp and the quick change in speed limit, Route 198 is an unfair speed camera area.

After paying over $100 in fines for both tickets, in an effort to get his money back, Freeman submitted a public integrity complaint and called on the state’s attorney general to look into the issue.

“This is a logical next step to try to get some justice and the justice for me, I believe, is a return of those funds that they took from us, especially the way that this was set up,” Freeman said. “Nonworking hours, no signage was up, warning us."

“I went 40 miles an hour because there was no way — I had no idea, what speed limit do you want?” a concerned resident said.

In a statement, the New York State Department of Transportation said they are not in the "got you business" and "since work started in the spring, automated work zone cameras have recorded cars going over 70 miles per hour 15 times and 80 miles per hour five times." 

They also said the cameras are “an important tool to protect workers."

WIVB News 4 drove through the construction zone this week and saw a "Warning: Camera in use" sign before the camera.

“The Scajaquada under normal circumstances is 30 miles per hour, and that remains unchanged within their work zone," the NYSDOT told News 4.

They also said typically, in a work zone, drivers must go 15 miles per hour under the posted speed limit.

“If I wanted, I go through there at ten miles an hour. People piled into each other,” the concerned resident said. “Whose fault is that?”

Another concern mentioned by Freeman is that the camera system and issued tickets are not from New York State, but Philadelphia.

"They're outsourcing a program that was designed for the safety of construction workers and it does not seem that it's being used that way,” Freeman said. “It looks like a money grab."

Freeman said this isn't his first time submitting a complaint to the attorney general and he expects a response in the coming weeks. If they say it's not a legitimate circumstance, he expects to appeal.

“I ask for every person that was given a citation for $50 that that money be returned and that this program be properly orchestrated in the future," Freeman said.