Council updates school-zone enforcement times; debate resurfaces over Blue Line cameras

The New Iberia City Council voted to amend City Code to update school-zone enforcement times to match a new state statute and to standardize school-zone speeds where Blue Line camera systems are deployed.

Mayor Pro Tem (as recorded) opened the public hearing on Ordinance 202429 and, after no public commenters, the council closed the hearing and moved to adopt the ordinance. Council members explained the ordinance makes the city’s school-zone times consistent with the new state law and that signage changes will be handled by public works.

Discussion on the item centered on Blue Line camera placement and coverage rather than the statutory timing change itself. Council members and residents said Blue Line chose which schools to equip after a study and that each camera deployment represents about $375,000 of equipment per school. As one council member said, "they picked the schools because they pay for all the equipment. It's $375,000 worth of equipment at each school. So, I mean, I was putting it on the line like it is. It is a business." Another council member noted the cameras initially reduced infractions in some locations, but others said drivers treat the system "like a challenge" and cited continuing speed violations on neighborhood streets.

Several council members urged staff to re‑engage Blue Line and to explore options for expanding coverage; residents asked the council to consider adding cameras or additional traffic controls at problem locations where students walk to school. Staff said any additional signage would be installed by public works and that Blue Line equipment selection was based on infraction counts and traffic studies.

The ordinance was put to an electronic vote after discussion. The transcript shows the council approved the ordinance and authorized the related signage changes; the vote tally was recorded by machine but not read aloud in the public portion of the transcript.