Speed Cameras Creating Issues
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
The camera enforcement system, which has accumulated about $700,000 in vehicle speed citations since September, is creating questions and opposition from members of the Opelousas Board of Aldermen.
Alderwoman Delita Broussard is spearheading a petition which calls for the elimination of the cameras by the police department, while Alderwoman Sherrell Roberts is asking Police Chief Graig LeBlanc to consider lowering the costs of the fines.
Both alderwomen addressed LeBlanc about issues associated with the cameras during a meeting of the Board last Tuesday night.
LeBlanc says about 10 percent or $70,000 collected from the fines is remitted to Opelousas City Court to assist with juvenile issues, while 60 percent of the revenue is being kept by the Department.
The remaining amount LeBlanc told St. Landry Now.com, is sent to the company which set up and maintains the operation of the camera system.
LeBlanc told the Board that 80 percent of the citations have been issued to individuals who don’t live in Opelousas.
Fines and citations are not issued unless the cameras determine that a driver exceeds the speed limit by 12 miles per hour or more.
“I mean c’mon. How fast do you want to go, Opelousas?” LeBlanc asked.
Complaints
Broussard explained to LeBlanc during the meeting that she is upset that areas of District B have not received speed bumps like some of the other citywide election districts.
“Everyone else is getting speed bumps for their districts. Why can’t I get them?” Broussard asked LeBlanc.
Police Capt. Frank Boudreaux acknowledged that he had received a work order that requested speed bumps for District B. Boudreaux said he does not know why the speed bumps haven’t been placed where they were requested in the district..
“I have no idea where they (the speed bumps) went,” Boudreaux told Broussard.
The petition started by Broussard is also available online.
The Board also voted during the meeting to decide during the July meeting whether to introduce or amend the original ordinance that created the camera enforcement system in 2023.
Broussard wanted to vote on rescinding the camera system ordinance during the meeting last Tuesday, but City Attorney Travis Broussard told Broussard that the ordinance process requires the Board to decide whether to introduce any ordinances followed by a subsequent procedure that includes a public hearing at the next meeting.
Prices For Citations
Roberts asked LeBlanc about the costs for tickets.
“I think the prices of the (speeding) tickets might be a little high,” Roberts told LeBlanc.
LeBlanc told Roberts that he is always willing to discuss matters associated with the cameras.
“We can negotiate the prices,” LeBlanc told Roberts.
The Chief Speaks Out
LeBlanc provided an impassioned response to criticisms about the use of the cameras and social media complaints about the overall operation of the city.
“We (police department) are doing our best, but yet there are people out there who want to tear up this city. I’m sick of all the fighting and people who want to destroy Opelousas. You need to stop posting on Facebook and social media comments that make this city look stupid,” said LeBlanc.
LeBlanc defended the use of the cameras, which he said have decreased the number of traffic accidents and obligated motorists to comply with speed limits.
“If I can save one life, then I feel that I have done my job. However we have people on social media who go out and air dirty laundry out in public. That’s so childish,” LeBlanc added.
