EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A van with a Rhode Island license plate is a speeding ticket machine for East Cleveland.

5 On Your Side chief investigator Duane Pohlman said there are seven others just like it.

He said the vans with electronic gizmos attached are ticketing dozens of speeders in East Cleveland.

Pohlman: "How many tickets did you get?"

Ernie Harris: "I got two."

Sherri: "Twice in East Cleveland."

Video: Pohlman Confronts Mayor | Video: Motorists' Challenge | Video: Records | Images | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

City Hall said the vans are there for safety.

"They're not putting it out here for safety. If they want to put something out here for safety, put a squad car here for safety," Harris said.

Inside the unmarked vans, Pohlman said, technicians monitor their high-tech equipment snapping pictures of people and ticketing the cars cruising too fast.

Pohlman: "I'm with Channel 5. I just want to ask a couple questions."

Man in van: "I'm not allowed to talk to the press, sir."

The technician wouldn't come out of the van when Pohlman tried to talk with him.

Pohlman: "You're not allowed to give me you're first name?"

Man in van: "No, sir."

Pohlman: "Are you allowed to say anything?"

Man in van: "not to the press."

Pohlman said mobile machines have quietly appeared on the streets of East Cleveland.

Tonya Gatson was ticketed three times.

"This crazy. How are you going to have somebody sitting in the van ticketing people, then sending tickets in the mail," she said.

In one of the poorest cities in the country, people who are struggling to make ends meet are forced to pay $95 a ticket.

"He's trying to get a financial windfall on the back of the people. That's crazy," Harris said.

Pohlman reported that there are no warnings and no police.

"Set a squad car here for safety," Harris said.

Mayor Eric Brewer refused to talk with Pohlman and issued a statement:

"Duane Pohlman is using the power of WEWS-TV 5 to serve as an advocate for speeders who drive along Noble Road. By doing so, he and the television station are threatening the lives of nearly 300 children who attend a charter school on that very busy street. The city of East Cleveland will not serve as a prop for his lopsided editorial creations."

Pohlman said he didn't expect that kind of reaction from the mayor. If you would like to read more of his e-mail, click here.