 --------, My name is Shawn Dow. I'm one of Campaign for Liberty's State Coordinators in Arizona and Redflex Traffic Systems' red light scameras' worst nightmare. One of our main grassroots initiatives out here in Arizona has been taking down and banning red light cameras and photo radar. And we've been pretty darn successful over the past few years, including five more cities banning "scameras" just in 2013. We've been successful in the state legislature, too, with the Senate Judiciary Committee passing a photo radar and red light camera ban last year. But this success didn't come easily. You see, Arizona is home to the two largest photo radar and red light camera companies in the country - Redflex Traffic Systems and American Traffic Solutions. You might be wondering why I call them "scameras"… Well, as it turns out, the private companies that contract with municipalities to install these red light cameras often require shortened yellow light durations in order to enhance their profitability. This shortening of the signal timing, combined with a driver's hesitation over whether to continue through an intersection or slam on the brakes, has often led to increased accidents in intersections where they are installed. Similarly, photo radar will often be placed at locations where a speed limit change isn't clearly marked or at the end of construction zones to catch people accelerating up to the standard speed limit. As we've found out, these companies seem to be more motivated by profit under the guise of "public safety" than safety itself. And for a time, states such as Arizona were more than happy to partner up with companies like ATS and Redflex to boost their revenue at the expense of their citizens' liberties. Until grassroots activists with AZC4L stepped up to expose their scheme. And we've used our successes in Arizona as a blueprint for undertaking efforts across the country. Ultimately, Campaign for Liberty members have fought to get the scameras banned in 19 states and well over 100 cities, and we're working hard to build on those numbers. This is just one example of how grassroots activists working together to implement Campaign for Liberty's model can experience success far beyond what individuals acting on their own can achieve. Defeating scameras isn't the only thing we're good at here in Arizona. In November 2012, our activists helped beat back a $29 million road bond in Fountain Hills, AZ, and made sure the "temporary" 1% sales tax increase Governor Brewer implemented in 2010 sunset on time in June 2013. You too could be involved in efforts like these in your own neighborhood, town, or state. Campaign for Liberty has a great nationwide network of activists; all you have to do is get plugged in! Our leaders are some of the best trained in the liberty movement today, having learned top-notch tactics from political professionals who have spent decades on the front lines fighting for your liberties. " To get involved, simply create an account on CampaignForLiberty.org and sign in. Once you're logged in, click on the "Community" tab at the top to find your state. When you're on your state page, you can message your state coordinator to let them know you want to be involved. From there, it's only a matter of time before you'll be learning the tactics and assembling the tools necessary to be successful in your own political endeavors! Whether it's fighting back against "scameras," defending your property rights against local central planners, or pushing Constitutional Carry in your state legislature, getting connected with your state group is the first step toward success! We'll be keeping up the fight for liberty on our end. I hope to hear from you soon if you live in Arizona, and for everyone else, your state coordinators would love to hear from you, as well. See you on the front lines! In Liberty, Shawn Dow Arizona Campaign for Liberty P.S. Over the past 5 years, Campaign for Liberty has trained thousands of grassroots activists to achieve great things. You can help C4L train even more liberty-minded Americans by donating whatever you can today, even if it's just $10 or $20. But no matter what, be sure to visit CampaignForLiberty.org and get in contact with your state coordinators!
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