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How Many Photo Tickets Will It Take Before You Fight Back?
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Recession Proof Business

Want a Recession Proof Business?

Develop a system that acts like a cash machine and appears like a public safety tool. It's addictive to it's customers and profitable to it's owners.

Then lock yourself into contracts that guarantee your revenue regardless of the performance of your machine.

It's helps if you can get an inside contact or two to help you in this task. Usually the promise of a Utopian position in your business later on helps to win the co-operation of those who can help you win the co-operation of the others.

For those of you who are not aware, the trial of Edmonton Police Sgt. Tom Bell, charged with Breach of Trust started yesterday. If your not familiar with this case then Click Here to learn more.

In a nutshell back in 2007 Bell and S/Sgt Kerry Nisbett were investigated for recieving Bribes from Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) in return for their help to secure a NO BID $90 million contract as the provider of camera services to Edmonton's photo enforcement program.

ACS is also the provider of services for Winnipeg's photo enforcement program. A program that has seen it's own share of controversy here.

I remember back in the late 90's when the first Sgt/Constable team assigned to developing the program came back from the southern states with tans and tales of golfing excursions, they were the envy of many. Till the initial attempt fell through and they were removed from those positions.

Then a new Sgt. (Jon Butcher) was put in charge and was instrumental in helping ACS receive a no bid $30 million contract back in 2003.

Shortly after Winnipeg approved the contract, this same individual took early retirement to work for a pro red light camera lobby group and last is now, head of sales in Canada for ACS!

Fancy That.

While that contract made ACS over $30 million dollars, the City made only a fraction of that. What a disappointment after promises of huge revenue windfalls were made to them.

The contract was constructed so ACS would receive a flat rate on tickets processed regardless of amount. This insured they would make $6 million a year regardless of tickets generated. The City only made around a million the first year and in the second year of the contract they ran a deficit.

Why, because the amount of tickets went down. You see people started slamming on the brakes (causing an increase in rear end collisions) and either slowed down around the mobile units or just avoided common set up areas.

Why do you think they have doubled their fleet of mobile units?

For your safety?

No they did this because they knew if ticket rates didn't increase they would go even further in the hole.

This is also why they lowered the threshold on the speed as well. Why initially was the higher speed considered safe and now it's not!

The City of Winnipeg renewed it's relationship with ACS in 2007 with a different set of conditions, conditions that have been vaguely related to it's citizens. An audit was performed in 2006 which strongly chastised the City for not ensuring the initial contract met the City's interest's. Click here to view a copy of the Audit

If it's such a good deal then why not just put the contract on the table for all to see, operate transparently.

Why also does the City have the details of the first contract hidden under a access fee of $10,000. Yes this is true, check out the details here.

I say, let's see the details from the first contract, what are they worried about?

It's truly time to stop being so complacent and start acting. Safety is not the issue here, revenue is. I can and have given several ways to make the streets safe, however there is no revenue in them and as such no interest.

Quit Smoking Now