The Winnfield Police Department’s photo enforcement program became operational on October 13 when the trailer along with the proper signage was put in place. The caution period for motorists to become familiar with the system has ended and full enforcement has begun.
“As officers have now completed their training, they can be expected to move around to different ‘hot zones’ to slow traffic down in dangerous spots,” Asst. Chief Charles Curry reported this week. The required signage will be in place prior to enforcement.
Curry reminded “this does not take away from officer patrol duties, as off-duty P.O.S.T.-certified officers are paid to use these enforcement devices. The limited enforcement has graduated to full enforcement effective November 13. The speed violations are civil in nature and begin at 11 mph over the posted speed limit. The citation does not appear on your driving record and will not affect your insurance.”
The costs of speed violations are set by city ordinance and are as follows:
10-19 mph over posted speed limit: $165
20-29 mph over posted speed limit: $175
30+ mph over posted speed limit: $185
“Do not be fooled into thinking that at 40-plus miles over the limit is only a $185 fine. Officers working this detail will use that evidence to perform a normal traffic stop and more than likely make an arrest for those excessive speeds if they feel that others have been placed in danger,” said the assistant chief.
“Our top priority is to promote safety throughout the city. We will be having officers conduct the violation spots in neighborhoods from time to time based upon the complaints received and the amount of speeding traffic. We will, however, address any speed limit signs or such if they are unreadable or missing with the street department and make sure that these are marked correctly before any type of enforcement in a particular neighborhood.
“Notice of Speed Violations will include the location, time and date, information on your vehicle, a photograph of the license plate, and the recorded speed. Information also includes the violation amount, due date, citation number, and an access pin number (left bottom section of front page). Payments can be made at https://www.metatraffic.net, and will need your citation number and the access code mentioned above. You can mail payments to MT-City of Winnfield, PO Box 245, Harrisonburg, LA 71340. If you have trouble with these procedures, you can call Meta-traffic at (855)783-5138. Remember, they are a growing company and do not have the number of people to answer each call as they are made, but you can always text that number and they will return your call within a day or two.
“If you were not the operator or owner of the vehicle at the time of the violation, the back of the notice at the bottom section includes an affidavit that must be completed and mailed to Meta-Traffic. You may transfer the responsibility to the actual driver at the time of the violation. This affidavit must be notarized prior to mailing.
“If all else fails and you still have questions, you may call Assistant Chief Curry at the Winnfield Police Department. His direct line is (318)727-3010. If you do not get an answer, please leave a voice mail and he will get back to you.
“We request that you do not call the regular business line, 911, City Court Clerk, City Hall or the District Attorney’s office as they will only refer you to the direct line. Those offices do not have any dealings with this enforcement, other that we have to follow the city ordinance as it was written and passed.”
As of November 15, from the trailer and from Lidar enforcement, there have been 3,065 noted violations resulting in 1,534 issued citations, with 860 warning to parish residents and 671 not processed yet.