Legislative News Proposal Would Zap Automated Traffic Cameras
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Proposal Would Zap Automated Traffic Cameras
Lawmaker: I-Team Findings Demonstrate Potential For Abuse
POSTED: 7:00 pm CDT April 28, 2011
UPDATED: 12:05 am CDT April 29, 2011
NEW ORLEANS -- A state lawmaker who is sponsoring legislation to outlaw automated traffic cameras unless voters approve them said information developed through an I-Team investigative series supports his arguments.
State Rep. Jeff Arnold, a Democrat from Algiers, has introduced a bill in the Louisiana House of Representatives that would prevent the imposition of unmanned speed and red light cameras.
After learning that selected officers were being paid thousands of dollars on the side to help manage New Orleans' photo safety program, he said probes are likely to expand beyond the city attorney, Inspector General and NOPD.
"I think (U.S. Attorney Jim) Letten is probably going to open his own investigation into what's going on in Orleans Parish, given the fact that police officers are not allowed to contract with the city," he said. "How do you have a police officer creating a company and contracting with the city?"
Arnold was referring to NOPD Commander Ed Hosli, who is an executive with Anytime Solutions, the company that received payment from the city to review camera citations. It was Anytime Solutions that selected officers to do the work, then paid them $35 to $55 per hour for the details.
"The problem here is the money," Arnold said. "When you have this much money involved, it breeds corruption."
Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas has now terminated the arrangement between the department and Anytime Solutions. Beginning Friday, on-duty officers in the motorcycle division will administer the traffic camera program.
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