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Shreveport Implements New Speed Cameras for School Zones

Children walking in a school zone with a speed camera in view

News Summary

As the new school year approaches, Shreveport introduces new speed cameras in school zones to enhance student safety. Located near Atkins, A.C. Steere, and Forest Hill Elementary Schools, these cameras aim to enforce speed limits and reduce risks for children. With a successful prior year generating nearly $2 million, a portion of revenue will again support education programs. In addition, a new pilot traffic camera initiative is in development to address speeding on rural roads, emphasizing community effort in maintaining safety.

Shreveport Rolls Out New Speed Cameras for School Zones as Classes Resume

As the summer days shorten and the excitement of a new school year approaches, Shreveport is gearing up for a safer start to classes with the introduction of new speed cameras in school zones. Students are set to return to school on Thursday, August 8, 2024, and the Shreveport Police Department is taking proactive measures to ensure their safety.

New Camera Locations to Enhance Safety

This academic year, three brand-new speed cameras are being positioned in critical school zones, specifically near Atkins Elementary, A.C. Steere Elementary, and Forest Hill Elementary. These state-of-the-art cameras will help enforce speed limits in areas where the little ones cross the streets, making it easier for parents, teachers, and crossing guards to keep everyone safe.

Why the Need for Speed Enforcement?

With children back in their school routines, everyone is reminded to slow down while driving in school zones. Speeding in these areas poses a significant risk, and the Shreveport Police Department is sending a clear message: it’s time to pay attention to the signage, crossing guards, and the flashing lights that indicate a school zone. Drivers are encouraged to adhere to the school-zone speed limit for the safety of all.

Impact of Previous Speed Cameras

$2 million. This was not just about monitoring speeds; a whopping $400,000 of that amount was allocated to the Caddo Parish School Board to support early childhood education programs. This shows how the funds can make a direct impact on the community, especially in supporting our youngest learners.

Looking Ahead: The Pilot Traffic Camera Program

Blue Line Solutions, is set to oversee a new pilot traffic camera program in Caddo Parish. This initiative comes on the heels of a proposal made in the summer of 2023 by District 2 Commissioner Lyndon Johnson, aimed at combatting the issue of speeding on rural roads.

Though the pilot program was intended to launch in early 2024, it encountered a few bumps along the way due to legal issues and potential legislative changes. A new state law now requires that only certified law enforcement officers operate handheld speeding cameras, which has complicated the original intentions for the program.

What’s Next for the Traffic Camera Plan?

The safety of our children is a community effort. It takes awareness, respect for speed limits, and support from everyone—parents, drivers, educators, and local authorities—to make our school zones safe. As the new school year approaches, let’s all do our part to make sure Shreveport’s students can focus on their studies, while we focus on making their passage to school as safe as possible. Remember, keeping our speed down is a small effort for a big impact!