Police chief: red-light camera program generated $2.46 million and should continue

The Sunny Isles Beach police chief briefed the commission on the city’s annual red-light camera report for the reporting period 07/01/2025 through 06/30/2026 and urged continuation of the program.

"A red light camera enforcement program began at Sunny Isles Beach on 09/01/2024 with the operation of 6 traffic infraction detectors placed at 4 different intersections within the city," the chief said, and reported that for the year the program issued 25,887 notices, 28 were contested (all upheld), 15,378 were paid and 8,367 were elevated to uniform traffic citations. Total revenue collected from notices was $2,459,025, of which the Florida Department of Revenue received $1,288,492 and the city retained $1,170,533.

Commissioners and the chief framed the program as primarily a safety measure rather than a revenue source. The vice mayor asked whether the city's listed retained revenue already reflected program expenses; the chief replied that expenses must be subtracted from the city's retained amount and that the city's expenses are less than the retained share. The chief also said enforcement appears to change driver behavior: "we have not had any rear enders from this program," and noted that many violators are transient drivers whose GPS warns them about camera locations.

No public speakers attended this agenda item. Commissioners thanked the chief for the data and supported continuing the program; no motion was required for the informational report.