American Traffic Solutions could be paying back thousands in red-light violation in St. Joseph.

According to the Associated Press nearly 900,000 people who paid fines for red-light violations in Missouri can apply for partial refunds as part of a proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit filed against ATS.

ATS operated cameras in 27 Missouri cities including St. Joseph.

The red-light cameras were operational in St. Joseph for nearly a 9 months time span from February of 2013 until the cameras were turned off at the end of October that same year.

The city suspended it’s red-light camera program after conflicting appeals court rulings arose.

St. Joseph Chief of Police Chris Connally said during that time span 3,137 tickets were issued.

ATS operated the cameras 24 hours a day and capture images of every vehicle running a red light at the intersection.  Violators were sent citations via first-class mail.  Tickets cost $100 each.

ATS has sent out postcard notices alerting people they can recover a cash payment of 20-percent of any fine they paid and provided information to apply for a refund.

If all of the tickets issued in St. Joseph were refunded at 20-percent ATS could be paying out $62,740 just in St. Joseph.

Connally said the city is not responsible for any portion of the payments and that it is all going through ATS.

Individuals who wish to preserve their right to sue individually can opt out of applying for a refund.

The Kansas City Star reports a response is due by  Feb. 28, and a court hearing is scheduled March 13 to consider the final settlement. More information is available at 1-866-681-9151.

Connally said the city has not yet decided to completely remove the cameras.

“We’re not going to do anything until we know what the Missouri Supreme Court decides,” said Connally.  “Then we’ll bring it to council to make a decision.”