13-03-2025
Speeding kills but are cameras the solution, city council debates
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—In a four-to-three vote, the Shreveport City Council passed a resolution to install Blue Line Solution speeding cameras on targeted streets outside school zones.
An assessment was conducted due to the number of speeding calls in interior streets. Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor, who is representing District A, says her constituents want change.
'For me it's to curtail speeding in those interior areas where there are not sidewalks, people- we have a lot of drag racing which is a real issue in this city, and then actually me listening to one of my constituents who is a student who talked about the level of speeding when she is walking to school, her and her peers, and how we need to curtail that,' said Taylor.
Speed camera enforcement coming to non-school zones after city council vote
She says automobile accidents are a real problem. Councilmembers agree that safety is the utmost priority, but some are unsure that cameras are the right solution.
Councilman Jim Taliaferro of District C says, 'my district is very opposed, what I choose to do is if we have some speed issues, as any district does, what I do is file a speed complaint with the Shreveport Police Department and they have to work a speed complaint.'
He says that the face-to-face interaction with an officer is essential.
'I've always believed that if you get stopped you need to be able to talk or engage with that officer. Unfortunately, because this is a civil issue, and that Blue Line uses those cameras to actually cite the violator. You don't have to appear so that's always been one of my issues,' said Taliaferro.
The study defines ' speeding ' as going at least 11 MPH over the speed limit.
The city says there is no set date for when cameras will be installed.
'Sure, it's going to catch people, and then eventually it won't catch people because just like any school zone, we become creatures of habit. And therefore, hopefully our behavior changes. And then what happens? Are we going to try to expand it to me,' said Taliaferro.
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