Buffalo Resident Files Public Integrity Complaint Against NYSDOT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo resident Patrick Freeman and his daughter were both ticketed by an automated camera this week near the Main Street overpass on Route 198, prompting backlash from neighbors.

The complaints are not about loud noise or dust, but about the construction zone’s speed enforcement radar that takes pictures and fines residents.

As a former police officer, Freeman said he knows the difference between safety and a scam. He said with merging traffic, a difficult exit ramp at Parkside and the speed limit changing rapidly, Highway 198 is an unfair speed camera zone.

After paying more than $100 in fines for the two tickets, in an effort to get his money back, Freeman filed a public integrity complaint and asked the state attorney general to review the matter.

“This is the next logical step in trying to get justice and justice for me, I believe, is the return of these funds that they took from us, especially the way it was set up,” Freeman said. “Outside of business hours, there was no signage to warn us.”

“I was driving 40 mph because there was no way I could do it. I had no idea what speed limit I wanted to stick to,” said one concerned resident.

In a statement, the New York State Department of Transportation said it was not out to trick you and that “since construction began in the spring, automated work zone cameras have recorded cars traveling 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 in front of the camera.

“Under normal circumstances, Scajaquada’s speed is 30 miles per hour, and that remains unchanged in their work zone,” NYSDOT told News 4.

They also said that, generally, in a work zone, drivers must drive 15 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.

“If I wanted to, I would cross at 16 km/h. People were jostling each other,” the resident worried. “Whose fault is it?”

Another concern Freeman mentioned is that the camera system and the tickets issued do not originate in New York state, but in Philadelphia.

“They’re outsourcing a program that’s designed for the safety of construction workers and it doesn’t appear that it’s being used for that purpose,” Freeman said. “It looks like a money grab.”

Freeman said this is not the first time he has filed a complaint with the attorney general and he expects a response in the coming weeks. If they decide the situation is not legitimate, he plans to appeal.

“I ask that every person who received a $50 ticket be given that money back and that this program be properly orchestrated going forward,” Freeman said.