Robocop traffic cameras that are headquartered in far-away cities -- are they legitimate?

I recently received a “notice of violation” (and demand for $50 payment) for running a red light. I live in Memphis, and the company demanding payment (“City of Memphis Photo Enforcement Program) is located in Knoxville and has a P.O. box address).

The video link shows—well, its hard to tell, but I DID manage to capture a “Printscreen” image that I was in the intersection and past the line while the light was still yellow. In other words, it could be contested in court, though straight watching of the video it looks like a tie.

Anyhow, to contest in court would entail court costs (exceding the cost of the violation), parking (the cost of parking alone is half the price of the violation)— probably a lawyer because traffic court will often ignore you if you don’t have the clout of a legal person backing you. It would also involve standing in line for several hours with a sea of smelly and vulgar fellow criminals and violators.

So, I decided to just pay the fifty dollars, even though I do not make my living expenses meet from one end of the month to the other.

But some people have told me that this violation is NOT a traffic ticket. That a private company in Knoxville has paid a fee to the city of Memphis to install these cameras and technology and collect fees. If this were a legitimate ticket then the fine would be significantly over $100 and six points would be deducted from my driving record for running a red light (this company admits that “No points are deducted for these violations”).

So, c’mon— a company from Knoxville with Memphis in its name and a P.O. box address?

Anyhow, my friend says this is not a legitimate law enforcement issue and the company has no legal authority to collect fees. The company (“City of Memphis Photo Enforcement Program” of Knoxville) only threatens to hire collection agencies, enforce “additional fines” and “possible registration hold”) if I don’t pay.

Please tell me your experiences and knowledge of these types of violations. Are they legitimate? I realize you can’t give legal advice but I’d like to know what you think— and what you think I should do. Thanks.