The program sounds great.
Blue Line Solutions installs speed cameras in Shreveport school zones at no cost.
The cameras record license plates of cars reportedly speeding, the company sends tickets with fines, and the fine money is shared with Shreveport Police Department.
But in reality there have been many complaints which seemingly are justified.
Here are some of the complaints about the cameras:
1. Why ticket cars in school zones when the schools are not open like for teacher training days, fall break, etc.?
2. Why ticket the car owner without knowing who is actually driving the vehicle?
3. Why is the appeal process flawed? The tickets have a phone number to call which reportedly is never answered.
4. Why are some school zones not adequately marked as to speed limits?
5. Why did Mayor Perkins approve the contract without council approval?
6. Why are citizens denied due process of law by not providing a court hearing?
7. Why ticket drivers who are one/two miles per hour over the limit while slowing down at beginning of school zone?
8. Why have a police officer validate the tickets when he/she was not on the scene?
9. Why penalize citizens who may not have received the mailed ticket due to change of address, problems with the mail, etc.?
These questions are important, and this should be a top priority for the council in Jan. of this year.
Trying to have any meaningful council action during the election season, other than the required adoption of the budget, is a waste of time.