City Council discusses revenue, safety concerns over school zone speed camera shut down

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — At Wednesday’s City Council Budget Audit Board of Review meeting, members discussed how a new state law is keeping most of New Orleans school zone speed cameras from issuing tickets- and why their concerns go beyond just lost revenue.

Under Act 107, speed enforcement cameras can only operate in school zones that meet new state standards and are covered by a cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA). Officials told council members the agreement still hasn’t been signed and many zones are missing the required signage and street markings.

Councilmember Joe Giarrusso said no cameras will be activated until the CEA is finalized- even in zones where signage and paint are already in place. He also asked if tickets issued after Aug. 1 in non-compliant zones would be enforced. The city confirmed they will be voided.

“No camera will be turned on until the CEA is signed,” said Giarrusso. “There are a certain number of schools where the signage is appropriate and the paint has been laid but the cameras aren’t turned on because the CEA isn’t signed- and there’s another group of schools for which there’s cameras, but there’s not the necessary markings to turn on the cameras yet.”

Giarrusso also pressed for a phased activation, turning on cameras in compliant zones first, and city officials agreed.

While revenue is a factor, council members stressed safety concerns. Flashing school zone lights remain on, and red light cameras are still operational across the city. Officials also discussed the possibility of adding more speed cameras in the future, but no decision has been made.

There’s still no timeline for when the CEA will be signed.

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