LFP directs camera payments out of state

Because of reduced staffing, the Lake Forest Park Municipal Court can no longer accept payments for traffic violations caught by camera or schedule hearings at the counter or over the telephone.

Anyone who receives a notice of infraction should fill out the coupon and send payment to:

City of Lake Forest Park, Washington

Payment Processing Center

P. O. Box 742503

Cincinnati, OH 45274-2503

Anyone may request a hearing either in writing or in person. There are two types of hearings, mitigated hearings and contested hearings. To request a hearing, fill out the request for a hearing.

All requests must be in writing, not over the telephone.

Hearings are held at the Lake Forest Park Municipal Court, 17425 Ballinger Way N.E.

If the person receiving the infraction notice believes that there were mitigating circumstances, or wishes to contest the infraction, he or she may fill out the defendant’s statement and declaration on mitigation. A person may request a mitigation or contested hearing by completing the hearing coupon and mailing it to ATS in Arizona. The address is:

City of Lake Forest Park, WA

Violation Processing Center

P.O. Box 59995

Phoenix, AZ 85076-9995

Valid Images showing the vehicles are captured and recorded by an Automated Intersection Safety System. Drivers can review their images and video of the actual occurrence online. The images and video were reviewed by several technicians and finally by the Lake Forest Park police department before the alleged civil infraction was affirmed and mailed to the registered owner or identified driver.

Drivers have the option of contesting the Notice of Infraction by a hearing requested in writing.

LFP officials say that speed cameras are paid for by violators; so no tax dollars are used for camera operations. The City pays a fee of $1.50 per citation for the processing of each citation.

“The processing is done out of state much like credit card payments,” City officials said in a recent Electronic Town Crier. “This is less costly than purchasing the equipment and paying for City staff to operate the equipment. The City pays a monthly lease fee for the equipment of $4,750 per site. The City general fund receives all camera enforcement fines.”

Violators may view photos and video of the incident at
 a website.

Handicapped drivers who are unable to appear in court must respond to the notice of infraction on or before the due date. However they must submit in writing, on or before the due date, a copy of their disabled placard and a written explanation of their actions or concerns. This written explanation will be reviewed and a decision will be issued by mail.