JOHN E. SETTLE JR.
How many speed through Shreveport school zones?
The short answer is “too many.”
As in way, way too many.
Recent information provided to the Shreveport City Council by a photo speed enforcement vendor was eye-opening to say the least.
Blue Line Solutions provided data to the Shreveport City Council’s Public Safety Committee recently on speed studies at eight Shreveport school zones: 81st ECE; Capt. Shreve High; Creswell Elementary; Huntington High; South Highland Elementary; J.S. Clark Elementary; Linwood Elementary; and Werner Park Elementary.
Utilizing photo speed monitors, the school zones were checked in three time periods: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Every school zone had the most speeding vehicles in the late afternoons followed by early morning.
With the exception of Huntington High (15%), the percentage of afternoon speeders ranged from 49% (Creswell Elemenary) to 76% (Werner Park).
And with the exception of Huntington High (15%), the percentage of early morning speeders ranged from 47% (J.S. Clark) to 69% (Werner Park).
South Highland was a close second with 75% of afternoon speeders and 73% of early morning speeders.
Blue Line has a speed monitoring and ticketing program that many cities utilize. The ticketing fees are split 60% - 40 % with the cities.
The Shreveport City Council passed an ordinance on April 27 to authorize the use of photographic eveidence and enforcement.
One can expect the Shreveport Police Department to push forward with the implementation of the photo system.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE May 7 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.