Abbeville City Council say no to Redflex Traffic System

Residents in Abbeville won’t have to worry about getting a ticket mailed to them from RedFlex Traffic System because the Abbeville City Council does not want to do business with RedFlex.
After a lengthy discussion between the city council, Police Chief Tony Hardy and RedFlex representative Charlie Buckels, the council voted 4-1 not to sign a contract with RedFlex.
The lone councilman who voted in favor of signing a three-year deal was Councilman Francis Touchet.
Before the vote, Buckels tried to convince the councilmen that Redflex was needed. He showed them data of traffic violators on Abbeville streets.
“When you look at the data, it looks like there is a speeding problem,” said Touchet.
Despite the data and Abbeville Police Chief Tony Hardy in favor of RedFlex, Councilman-At-Large Francis Plaisance said the people of Abbeville do not want the company issuing speeding tickets or running red light tickets by taking a picture of their license plate.
“I have not talked to one person who wants this,” Plaisance said. “I don’t think the public appreciates having this in the city.”
Touchet said RedFlex could be placed at schools to deter speeders or downtown Abbeville to stop 18-wheelers from traveling downtown.
Police Chief Tony Hardy said it is about safety to the city. He said if by having RedFlex saves one life, then it is worth it. He said the cameras could also be used to help deter crime in Abbeville.
Despite the talk by the Chief, the City Council voted against his wishes.