Shreveport’s Speed Camera Controversy: Hidden Tax or Public Safety?

SHREVEPORT, LA - Things are getting heated in the debate over speed cameras in Shreveport and Caddo Parish. In fact, political heat is being turned up over this issue.

The Republican Party in Caddo Parish has approved a resolution opposing these cameras. The local party's Executive Committee passed a resolution which says

"We oppose speed cameras and we oppose any elected officials who support speed cameras."

READ MORE: Do speed zone cameras hurt low income residents the worst?

Mayor Tom Arceneaux has told KEEL News the City of Shreveport is looking at adding speed cameras in several areas around the city, not just school zones. The Parish Commission has also approved speed cameras for parish roads.

The resolution passed by the local Republican Party says "these speed cameras are a hidden tax on our residents, an undue burden, and probably unconstitutional." The measure also says the public is against these cameras. This measure calls on local leaders to reconsider support of this program and go in a different direction.

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Party leaders are hoping state lawmakers will change the law to make these cameras illegal and that could happen this spring. Senator Alan Seabaugh is in favor of banning the cameras. He was them a "money grab" and says they are "about as popular as STD's".

The resolution before the Executive Committee was changed just a bit. The measure also called on the party to oppose any candidates who support the cameras. But that section of the resolution was deleted before the measure was passed.

READ MORE: Speed Cameras Are a Money Grab

This resolution says speed cameras "are an expansion of government and are a hidden tax on citizens."