A Florida homeowners association is handing out speeding tickets that do not come from the police.
In Sarasota’s upscale Laurel Oak Estates, drivers caught going over the limit can get a hefty fine in the mail.
Florida drivers who belong to an HOA have been warned about reckless driving[/caption]
Drivers going above the speed limit could be facing $125 fines[/caption]
One driver was recorded at 39 mph in a 25 mph zone and later received the citation, as reported by a local Florida news outlet, Suncoast Searchlight.
If a car is clocked at 41 mph or higher, the fine jumps to $200.
The HOA is using license plate readers and speed cameras from the company Traffic Logix.
The technology is being marketed to private communities as a way to cut speeding and generate revenue for other HOA programs.
These systems work by detecting a vehicle’s speed, capturing an image of the plate, and mailing a $125 fine to the registered owner.
Law enforcement in Sarasota County says the practice is legal because the streets are private.
“These are civil matters between the vehicle owner and the HOA,” said Sarasota Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Dana Judge.
Failing to pay will not add points to a license or affect insurance, but could lead to restrictions on entering the community.
In some cases, liens can be placed on a resident’s property.
Other neighborhoods in the area, such as The Landings in Sarasota and Rosedale in East Manatee County, are also using the cameras.
Privacy advocates warn that the technology could be abused and used to track where people go.
“When you know where a person’s been, you know all about them,” said Adam Schwartz of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
He pointed out that such data could reveal visits to protests, medical offices, or other sensitive locations.
HOA attorney Scott Petersen said the technology can help prevent accidents and protect the community from liability.
HOA crackdowns in the US
States across the country are working to restrict the power of HOAs.
- In Minnesota, lawmakers introduced a bill that would require HOA boards to create a schedule of fines and fees and distribute it to homeowners; ensure homeowners can contest an HOA fine; provide reasonable time to correct rule violations; and outlaw the practice of charging homeowners for asking questions.
- In Arizona, lawmakers are cracking down on HOA budgets. Under a newly proposed law, HOA boards would have strict guidelines for how they approve expenses.
- In Florida, a bill was passed that restricts the amount of control HOAs have over tenants’ property. It also stops HOAs from fining homeowners for leaving trash cans out and holiday lights up.
- In Atlanta, bipartisan bills were introduced to reign in overly aggressive HOAs to protect homeowners.
- In California, a new bill requires HOA elections to be monitored and the board to comply with certain homeowner requests.
- In Colorado, new HOA rules require greater transparency between HOA board members and tenants.
- And the Federal Fair Housing Act sets housing standards for all homeowners, tenants, and landlords.
He admitted he shares some of the privacy concerns and questioned how far the data might be shared.
Companies like Traffic Logix say speeds can drop by up to 91 percent within three months of installation.
They also encourage residents to pitch the technology to their HOA boards.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida has previously called the practice a significant invasion of privacy.
“The tracking of people’s location constitutes a significant invasion of privacy,” the group has said.
Critics say drivers should think twice before supporting a system that could allow neighbors to monitor each other.
