Waterloo Police Automated Traffic Enforcement
In 2017 the Waterloo Police Department partnered with GATSO USA to bring Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) to the City of Waterloo. The ATE program began with a handheld unit named the Dragon Cam and a mobile speed enforcement vehicle. As the program expanded the Waterloo Police Department added 13 stationary red light/speed cameras at 6 intersections based on motor vehicle accident data.
In 2019 the Waterloo City Council adopted City Ordinance <5-6-5> addressing Chronic Nuisance Vehicles. This ordinance identified any vehicle that receives three or more ATE citations in a period of twelve months as a Chronic Nuisance Vehicle and hold the registered owner of that vehicle liable for a civil penalty.
In 2021 the Waterloo Police Department recognized the need for additional red light and speed cameras at additional intersections and an expansion project was begun. As of July 2021 an additional 8 cameras at 5 intersections, and 2 additional fixed speed cameras were added to the ATE program bringing the total camera count up to 23. Again these locations were selected utilizing motor vehicle accident data.
Camera Locations and Calibration Documents
The Waterloo Police Department is committed to the concept of governmental transparency in all aspects of our operations and in that spirit have made all camera calibration documents easily accessible to the public. Below is a list of camera locations with the appropriate calibration documents
(ANSREB) Ansborough Ave/ Ridgeway Ave (EB Ridgeway) - Calibration document
(ANSRSB)Ansborough Ave / Ridgeway Ave (SB Ansborough) - Calibration document
(BROSB) Broadway St / W Parker (EB Broadway St) - Calibration document
(BRONB) Broadway St / W Parker (WB Broadway St) - Calibration document
Hand Held Unit (Dragoncam) - Calibration document
(FRA5NB) Franklin St / E 5th St (NB E 5th) - Calibration document
(FRA6SB) Franklin St / E 6th St (SB E 6th) - Calibration document
(LAPSEB San Marnan Dr / LaPorte Rd (EB San Marnan Dr) - Calibration document
(LAPSWB) San Marnan Dr / LaPorte Rd (WB San Marnan Dr) - Calibration document
(MITWNB) Mitchell Ave / Washington St (Hwy 218)(NB Washington) - Calibration document
(MITWSB) Mitchell Ave / Washington St (Hwy 218) (SB Washington) - Calibration document
(1000) Mobile Speed Enforcement Unit - Calibration document
(63EB) W Ridgeway Ave / Sergeant Rd (Hwy 63)(EB Ridgeway Ave) - Calibration document
(63NB) W Ridgeway Ave / Sergeant Rd (Hwy 63)(NB Sergeant Rd) - Calibration document
(SHOEB) San Marnan Dr / Shoppers Blvd (EB San Marnan) - Calibration document
(SHOWB) San Marnan Dr / Shoppers Blvd (WB San Marnan) - Calibration document
(218NB) Washington St (Hwy 218) / E Shaulis Rd (NB Washington) - Calibration document
(218SB) Washington St (Hwy 218) / E Shaulis Rd (SB Washington) - Calibration document
(WH6NB) Washington St (Hwy 218) / W 6th (NB Washington) - Calibration document
(WH6SB) Washington St (Hwy 218) / W 6th (SB Washington) - Calibration document
(W11NB) Washington St (Hwy 218) / W 11th (NB Washington) - Calibration document
(W11SB) Washington St (Hwy 218) / W 11th (SB Washington) - Calibration document
(US218NB) Washington St (Hwy 218) / Broadway St Exit (SB Washington St) - Calibration document
(US218SB) Washington St (Hwy 218) / Broadway St Exit (NB Washington St) - Calibration document
(BALEB) Williston Ave / Baltimore St (EB Williston) - Calibration document
ATE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: I received a citation in the mail for my car having been caught on camera speeding but I wasn’t driving, am I still liable?
A: Yes, according to Waterloo City Ordinance 6-1-4 the owner of the vehicle, as determined by Iowa DOT Registration records is liable for the civil fine, not the driver.
Q: Does an ATE citation affect my driving record and or insurance?
A: No, ATE citations are not reported to either the State of Iowa DOT or any private insurance companies.
Q: I want to contest my ATE citation, what do I do?
A: On the ATE citation are instructions to request an administrative hearing. In 2021 the Waterloo City Council amended the ATE Ordinance allowing for mail in hearings only. Those forms can be obtained through GATSO USA by following the instructions on the ATE citations or by downloading them. Once your documents are received your appeal will be reviewed by a sworn police officer a notice of hearing outcome will be mailed to you. You may also request a Municipal Infraction be file in lieu of an ATE citation so that your case can be heard before a district judge. To do that please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your current mailing address, name, date of birth and citation number. The filing of a Municipal Infraction citations could cause the owner of a vehicle to incur additional court fees.
Q: I want to pay my ATE fine, how do I do so?
A: All fines and payments are processed through GATSO USA and instructions to pay online or by check can be found on the citation. If you have limited internet access a free computer kiosk is located at the front lobby of the Waterloo Police Department where online payments may be made.
Q: I don’t want to pay my fine, what will happen to me?
A: Unpaid fines are sent to collections which are also handled by GATSO USA and my impact your credit rating. The City of Waterloo has also begun using the Iowa Offset program to collect unpaid fines. The Iowa Offset Program requires a court ordered judgement against you. Once the City has secured a judgement the fines plus court costs may be deducted from various income sources such as tax returns, lottery prizes or casino winnings.
Q: I have received a Chronic Nuisance Vehicle citation, what do I do?
A: You have two options. First you can contact the City Attorney’s Office at 319-291-4327 and make arrangements to plead guilty. Your second option is to plead not guilty and request a trial.
Q: I have pled not guilty to a Municipal Infraction/Chronic Nuisance will I be given an attorney?
A: No, since both of these citations are civil in nature and there is no threat of jail time, an attorney will not be presented to you by the state. If you wish an attorney to represent you in these proceedings, you will have to retain them yourself.
Q: I have lost my ATE Citation, what do I do?
A: Email your name, location you received the citation from, and license plate number to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and another citation will be sent to you via email.
Any other questions or issues should be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.