Red Light Photo Enforcement

Red Light Camera History and Facts

The system was implemented in 2005 due to a number of traffic collisions and complaints about the safety of the intersection of Los Alamitos Blvd and Katella Ave.

In addition to increasing the safety of the motoring public, automated enforcement was approved to improve the safety of our officers who often had to pursue a violator through a red light.

California Vehicle Code section 21455.5 authorizes jurisdictions to use automated red light enforcement systems. These systems were challenged in West Judicial District in 2010 due to alleged hearsay violations, but both the California Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court have ruled that automated red light camera systems do not violate the hearsay rule.

Traffic collisions in red light camera controlled intersections have decreased since the program’s inception. 

Katella Avenue and Bloomfield is also a significant crossing for children on their way to school which is of paramount concern to our community.

Unlike in Los Angeles County, if a violator in Los Alamitos ignores the citation, the court sends a notice to the DMV and their license is suspended until they handle the violation. This is similar to the actions from a failure to appear.

Courts have the discretion to dismiss the citation for a variety of reasons. 

Every person who receives a notice of violation can come into the police department and view their violation in both video and still pictures, which will show the violator behind the limit line at the time the light phased to red.

The State of California determines the fine amount for red light violations. The state receives the largest portion of the fine followed by the city and the county.

Much of the data on the internet is not factual regarding the effectiveness of red light cameras and is easily disproved.

Los Alamitos Photo Enforcement Officers appear in court. Representatives of the company do not appear.

If you are approaching the intersection with the red light camera and following a vehicle too closely to see the traffic signal, there is another signal visible on the light pole on each corner of the intersection. Please keep in mind this may be a violation of 21703 CVC, following too closely.

Only red light violations are captured by red light camera systems, and not seatbelt, speeding, or any other kind of violation.

Photo Enforcement Hours

The Los Alamitos Police Department offers individuals the opportunity to view their red light camera violation on video with a photo enforcement officer. Identification and citation will be asked for upon walking in. Images and videos of all citations are available online at www.photonotice.com.  If assistance in person is required, an appointment is preferred.   

Viewing hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The lobby is closed on Fridays, weekends, and holidays.