SAN ANGELO, TX — According to sources inside the San Angelo Police Department, a speed trap was being set for motorists on Loop 306 and the Houston Harte Expressway for Tuesday. But it’s been called off.
The SAPD Motors Division was prepping for full-on radar speeding enforcement starting at noon. Late yesterday afternoon, as reports of winter weather prompted school districts and local governments to delay their openings, Police Chief Frank Carter said the speed trap planned for Tuesday will happen later this month.
Traffic enforcement on Loop 306 and the Houston Harte has been a priority for Chief Carter since taking office in July 2016. The traffic enforcement efforts enhance safety, as speeding and frequent crashes on the 65 mph roadway are reported often, and that was an issue during the 2016 police chief election.
The enforcement also enhances revenue to the City of San Angelo through the City’s municipal court. According to the adopted FY 2018 City budget, the City is expecting fines through the municipal court, of which speeding tickets are a part, to generate $3.1 million this year, up from $2,8 million last year.
The budget is not a quota, but an anticipated revenue amount for planning purposes.
Included in that $3.1 million are more than fines from traffic violations. Code compliance fines and parking tickets are also included. Much of the gross revenue generated from speeding tickets is passed on to the State of Texas, regardless.
Carter promises to set the Loop 306 speed traps on January 23, a make-up day.
| Year | Muni Court Revenue from Fines, Tickets |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $2,979,639 |
| 2016 | $2,608,938 |
| 2017 | $2,813,239 |
| 2018 | $3,128,116 (projected) |
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Best time for Speed Trap is when it is least expected!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also check for driver license and insurance. Toll the vehicles. Take driver to jail if continue not to have insurance or driver license. A slap on the hand does nothing to deter bad behavior. Maybe revenue will help with pay raises for Police and the filling in of pot holes but of course this would need some maneuvering by City Council. The City needs money for infrastructure so go after it.
Do not tell drivers when next Speed Check will be--->January 23rd as makeup day. Now drivers know to avoid Loop 306.
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PermalinkSo, I guess there is a quota for writing tickets in this town, since it is published in the yearly budget tables. How interesting.
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PermalinkI agree.....that’s nice to know seeing as, in the past 10 years LAPD has paid out over $10MILLION in settlements because it is illegal to enforce “quota based duties” as a police department. LAPD is not the only force scrutinized for this unethical business, just the one to make the news.
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PermalinkJust be that person who get hit by a driver with no license or insurance. Badly hurt or death will require families to have to live with the consequences of a driver going to fast and causing an accident. What if it is your family that was hit. No insurance/ No license driver gets a slap on the hand to yet speed again.
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