Maurice is not a speed trap town in Louisiana

If House Bill 961 makes its way through the Senate and House and is signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal, it would not affect the Village of Maurice.
Rep. Steven Pylant, of Winnsboro, has filed HB 961, which would warn motorists that they are approaching a “speed trap” and should slow down.
Earlier this week, the House Transportation Committee voted 9-3 for Pylant’s bill (House Bill 961) to require speed trap labeling. The municipalities would have to pay for the signs. If they refuse, their speeding ticket money would be transferred to the state treasury.
His bill came in response to numerous complaints he received as sheriff of Franklin Parish and since, as a state representative, from motorists about speeding tickets
His bill applies to any municipality that receives more than 50 percent of its revenues from speeding tickets.
Well, the good news, according to Maurice Police Chief Warren Rost is that the Village of Maurice‘s budget does not rely on Maurice police officers writing speeding tickets.
Rost and Maurice Mayor Wayne Theriot looked into how much speeding tickets account for the Village’s budget.
He learned Wednesday morning the Village of Maurice falls well below the 50 percent range.
Rost said it was only 19 percent of the Village’s budget, so they would not have to put a sign warning motorists.
Rost, who has been the chief for 32 years, does not like the idea of a bill.
“I do not think it (House Bill 961) is a good idea,” Rost said. “If they had to put a sign, I think it would be a disservice to the community.”
Warren said if there is a major highway that runs through your town, there is a good chance your police department will write a lot of tickets. He said more tickets will bring up the revenue.
Over the years Maurice has been labeled as a speed trap, but Rost said the reason the Village has that name is because his officers are stopping speeders on Hwy. 167. Today, many motorist know to put on their brakes when they enter the Village.
“When a motorist slows down, it makes Maurice safer,” he said. “It also means we are doing our job.”

Here is a list of towns that are known “speed traps” and what percentage of their budget comes from speeding tickets.

Fenton: 89.36%
Washington: 70.53%
Henderson: 49%
Port Barre: 36.69%
Grand Coteau: 31.27%
Turkey Creek: 30.46%
Maurice: 18.8%
Krotz Springs: 17.46%
Patterson: 9.53%