Backers of camera ban in Monroe respond to city lawsuit

An initiative in Monroe to ban traffic enforcement cameras is valid because it’s protected by both the state and federal constitutions, according to the lawyer defending it.

In a 39-page legal brief, Bellevue lawyer Richard Stephens responded to the city of Monroe’s lawsuit to keep the initiative off the November ballot, saying the city’s effort is a “political tactic to silence the voters” and that there’s no harm in letting them decide about using traffic enforcement cameras.

The brief was filed at the Snohomish County Superior Court on Monday.

Besides rejecting the lawsuit, Stephens also asks the court to impose a fine and make the city pay attorney fees.

You can read the entire response in the document linked at right.

A court hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 21.

Stephens is representing Seeds of Liberty, which along with other groups gathered enough valid signatures in June to put Monroe Initiative No. 1 on the November ballot.

The initiative seeks to remove enforcement cameras that already have been installed and to reduce fines from camera-generated tickets. The initiative also would require voter approval before any more enforcement cameras can be installed.

Monroe contracts with an Arizona vendor, Redflex Traffic Systems. Cameras are up at three locations and a fourth is planned.

The city argues the measure is invalid because it goes beyond the scope of local initiative power. The city filed the lawsuit on July 15.

Named as defendants are the groups that gathered the signatures from Monroe voters: Washington Campaign for Liberty; Seeds of Liberty; Bancams.com and VotersWantMoreChoices.com.

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