Brekford Activates Additional Speed Enforcement Cameras in Saltillo, Mexico
Sixteen Total Cameras Now Live; Enforcement Checkpoints Initiated
HANOVER, MD / ACCESSWIRE / October 13, 2015 / Brekford Corp. (OTC: BFDI), a leading public safety technology service provider of fully integrated automated traffic safety enforcement ("ATSE") solutions, parking enforcement citation management and an end-to-end suite of technology equipment for public safety vehicle services, and its Mexico-based partner, Grupo Canviso TEC ("Canviso"), today announced that six additional speed enforcement cameras have gone live in Saltillo, Mexico. This brings the total activated cameras in the city to 16, with an additional 14 speed cameras and three cell phone cameras anticipated to go live in the coming weeks.
The installation and activation of these cameras is in partial completion of a three-year contract with the city of Saltillo calling for the deployment of up to 210 speed, red light, and cell phone cameras throughout the City. Saltillo has a population of more than 700,000 residents and more than 200,000 registered vehicles. Brekford provided and installed all technology infrastructure for the Mexico operation in preparation for the full Saltillo rollout as well as for other cities as new contracts are signed. As new sites are selected, Brekford provides its proprietary solar powered wireless automated enforcement cameras and iP360 citation management software. Canviso manages all operational aspects of the program including camera maintenance, citation issuance, and collections.
When the first ten speed cameras went live in April 2015, they recorded an average of nearly 5,000 violations per camera per day in the City. Due to the proven deterrent effect of the cameras, violations have dropped by approximately 40% since the program began six months ago. Brekford's experience with other programs shows an overall decline in speeding violations of more than 80% after the first year of deployment.
Rod Hillman, President and COO of Brekford, said, "We are pleased with the progress we have made in Saltillo, supported by the City's dedication to improving traffic safety for its citizens. By overcoming certain challenges with our first international project, we have developed an outstanding relationship with the Canviso management team, and we are looking forward to working closely with them throughout Mexico. Canviso is discussing programs with officials in several other municipalities in Mexico, and we anticipate that our successes in Saltillo will make national expansion easier."
Alejandro Canales, Grupo Canviso's President, stated, "We are excited by the outstanding teamwork and support provided by Brekford. Both companies are dedicated to implementing Mayor Isidro López Villarreal's vision of safer streets with fewer speeding related deaths and accidents for Saltillo. The City has already demonstrated positive results, with 162 fewer accidents and 7 fewer deaths caused by speeding, as compared to the same period of 2014."
Initial startup of the operation has had some challenges, with both companies and the City working together to resolve over the first six months. Because the Saltillo program does not yet enable vehicle registration holds for drivers with unpaid fines, Brekford and Canviso, along with Saltillo authorities have developed collection methods that are both consistent with Mexican law and effective in ensuring the penalties are paid. Using a system of random traffic checkpoints, police personnel actively compare license plates against a "hot list" of repeat offenders utilizing automated license plate readers provided by Brekford. Drivers with past due fines are pulled over and license plates are seized until fines are paid. The City tested the concept for a short period in July, and now with refinements to the process, the checkpoints officially started operating yesterday.
Hillman stated, "Cities in Mexico, just as in the U.S., need to implement their own specific solutions to the enforcement challenge. Brekford is proud to have collaborated with Canviso and the City of Saltillo to develop a comprehensive enforcement solution. Through the first five full months of operation, we experienced an average collection rate, largely on a voluntary basis, of approximately 525 paid citations per camera per month. This already provides a reasonable return on investment for Brekford; however, it falls short of achieving overall violation reduction goals. With the new checkpoint system, we anticipate a significant increase in collection rates as violators realize the need to pay outstanding fines. Additionally, we expect a continuing decline in violation rates as a direct result of enforcement. Our long-term goal is an 80% reduction in speeding, red light running, and cell phone usage violations, with corresponding sustainable reductions in traffic accidents and deaths."
Brekford's international growth strategy includes expansion in Mexico as well as other nations in Latin America, with a key initial focus on Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Argentina. According to the World Health Organization, most developing countries have significant traffic related accident and death rates, yet they lack sufficient policing or technology solutions. At the same time, Brekford is dedicated to capitalizing on ATSE opportunities throughout the United States by promoting its proprietary solar-based remote systems and web-based iP360 citation management software platform at an extremely competitive price point. These efforts, coupled with a national strategy to meet the growing demand for body cameras and video evidence management, provide diversification that complements Brekford's legacy public safety vehicle upfitting business.
About Brekford Corp.
Brekford Corp. provides state-of-the art public safety technology and automated traffic enforcement solutions to municipalities, the U.S. military, various federal entities and other public safety agencies throughout the United States. Its services include automated speed and red light camera enforcement programs, parking enforcement citation management and an end-to-end suite of technology and equipment for public safety vehicle upfitting. Brekford's combination of upfitting services, cutting-edge technology, and automated traffic enforcement services offers a unique 360-degree solution for law enforcement agencies and municipalities.
The Company is headquartered in Hanover, Maryland, and its common stock is traded on the OTC Markets under the symbol "BFDI". Additional information on Brekford can be accessed online at www.brekford.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of that term in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Words such as "anticipate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "target," "aim," "should," and words and terms of similar substance and any financial projections used in connection with any discussion of future plans, strategies, objectives, actions, or events identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among others, those concerning our expected financial performance and strategic and operational plans, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. These statements are based on the beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to us and reflect our current views concerning future events. As such, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among many others: the risk that any projections, including earnings, revenues, expenses, synergies, margins or any other financial items that form the basis for management's plans and assumptions are not realized; a reduction in industry profit margin; requirements or changes affecting the business in which we are engaged; our ability to successfully implement new strategies; operating hazards; competition and the loss of key personnel; changing interpretations of generally accepted accounting principles; continued compliance with government regulations; changing legislation and regulatory environments; and the general volatility of the market prices of our securities and general economic conditions. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Brekford Corp. with the SEC, specifically the Company's most recent reports filed on Form 10-K and Forms 10-Q, which further identify important risks, trends and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release. Brekford Corp. expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Company Contacts
C.B. Brechin, CEO
443-557-0200
investors@brekford.com
SOURCE: Brekford Corp.
