Opponents of Ohio village's traffic cameras file lawsuit

CINCINNATI (AP) — A lawsuit alleging that traffic cameras used to trap speeders are unconstitutional has been filed against a southwest Ohio village just months after a judge ordered similar cameras removed in another village in the state.

The lawsuit filed recently in Butler County Common Pleas Court in Hamilton against New Miami by four area residents and businesses alleges the village’s camera ordinance violates the constitutional right to due process.

The lawsuit was filed against the village, about 20 miles north of Cincinnati, and New Miami police Chief Kenneth Cheek. It seeks a judgment that the ordinance is invalid and should not be enforced. The lawsuit also seeks restitution of all penalties, fees and other charges paid by those filing the suit. It also seeks class-action status, which would allow others who have been ticketed from the cameras to join the lawsuit.

Dennis Adams, the village’s attorney, said today that he had not seen the lawsuit and had no immediate comment. A message left for the police chief was not immediately returned.

A Hamilton County judge in Cincinnati earlier this year struck down the use of traffic cameras in the village of Elmwood Place, saying their use violated due process.