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MOBILITY - ACTION ITEM: (1) Receipt and Discussion of Presentation on the Police Department’s Automated Red-Light Traffic Enforcement Program and Discussion of California Senate Bill (SB) 720 that establishes the “Safer Street Program”; and (2) Direction to Staff as Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: November 19, 2025
Contact Person: Jason Sims, Chief of Police
Phone Number: (310) 253-6100
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [X] No [ ]
Attachments: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Notification: E-Mail via GovDelivery (11/13/2025): Meetings and Agendas - Mobility Subcommittee, Parking Authority; Notify Me - Construction, Street Maintenance and Closures; Stay Informed - Bicycle & Pedestrian / Culver CityBus / Construction, Street Maintenance and Closures; Culver city Business License List, Economic Development Newsletters
Department Approval: Jason Sims, Chief of Police (11/12/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Mobility Subcommittee (1) receive and discuss a presentation on the Police Department’s Automated Red-Light Traffic Enforcement Program and discuss California Senate Bill (SB) 720 that establishes the “Safer Street Program”; and (2) provide direction to staff as appropriate.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Current Automated Red-Light Traffic Enforcement Program
The current automated red-light traffic enforcement program uses “red light cameras” to capture violators as they drive their vehicles through an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red (“Automated Traffic Enforcement Program”), began in Culver City in 1998. There are currently 20 enforcement approaches (directions of travel) at 12 intersections.
Red Light Violation Citations & Fines
Each citation that is issued for a red-light photo enforcement violation is personally viewed by an authorized Police Management Analyst. Each citation is considered a criminal moving violation which can attribute a point to the violator’s driving record and potentially increase the violator’s insurance costs.
The fine for a red-light violation, California Vehicle Code § 21453, is $100. However, the fine also includes California-mandated penalty assessments, up to $390, making the total cost of the citation $490. If the citation is not paid within the prescribed period of time, a civil notice will be sent to the violator by the Court possibly increasing the original fine. The fine can also be commuted to a lower fine, or community service, based on the financial income of the violator.
Senate Bill (SB) 720
SB 720 is a California bill that establishes the "Safer Streets Program," which gives cities the option to implement automated red light camera programs with new rules. The bill was signed into law by Governor Newsom on October 13, 2025, and became chaptered as Chapter 782, Statutes of 2025.
Key provisions of SB 720
• Opt-in program: Local governments can choose to participate in the program.
• Fine structure: The bill caps the fine for a first-time red-light violation at $100
• Authorizes a late penalty of $50.
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• Citation method: Citations are issued to the vehicle's license plate rather than the driver, treating the offense as a civil, not criminal, violation, which is a shift from current law
• Provides that the revenue from the fines remain with the cities and cities shall pay for the installation of the cameras, the adjudication of violations, and construction of traffic calming measures to improve traffic safety. If traffic calming measures aren’t deployed within three years, the funds will revert to the state for use in the Active Transportation Program (ATP).
• Requires the local authority to publish an annual report that includes the number of alleged violations captured by the system, the number of citations issued by a law enforcement agency based on information collected from the system, the types of violations, and the number and percentage of citations that are dismissed by the court.
• Requires the local authority to develop an Automated Traffic Enforcement System Impact Report prior to implementing the program which assesses any impact on civil liberties, a description of the program, program cost, if potential deployment locations are predominantly in low-income neighborhoods, and the locations where a system will be deployed with traffic data for these locations. The report must be available for public review prior to adoption and consultation with racial equity, privacy protection, and economic justice groups is required.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
RECOMMENDED MOTION
That the Mobility Subcommittee:
1. Receive and discuss a presentation on the Police Department’s Automated Red-Light Traffic Enforcement Program and discuss California Senate Bill (SB) 720 that establishes the “Safer Street Program”; and
2. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.