In a move to enhance traffic monitoring and address safety concerns, La Porte City, Iowa, has greenlit the installation of speed cameras. The city council approved a contract for two cameras last week, earmarked for deployment in the vicinity of 8th Street and Commercial Street. Although no specific operational date has been set, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to bolster traffic enforcement.
The city’s police chief emphasizes that La Porte City is adopting a ‘cost-neutral system’ to mitigate the financial impact of the cameras. This move aligns with a growing trend in Iowa, with several communities, including Dubuque, also progressing with plans for automated speed cameras.
In Dubuque, the city council recently approved a new ordinance to facilitate the implementation of automated speed cameras. Police Chief Jeremy Jenson attributes this decision to a surge in fatal crashes, reaching a ten-year high with six incidents reported last year. The introduction of speed cameras is seen as a proactive measure to enhance traffic enforcement, particularly amid staffing shortages faced by law enforcement departments.
