PPD: 1,200 citations written with i-Traffic

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) - It's been nearly two months since Prichard police started a new traffic enforcement program, using funds and equipment provided by i-Traffic. The private company said officers have written 1,200 citations, so far.  

As FOX10 News learned, officers are also snaring criminals, not just speeders.

The speed limit is listed as 65 mph on Interstate 165 in Prichard, but I-Traffic staff said that hasn't slowed down many drivers.

“We had speeds in excessive of 115 miles an hour,” said Fran Karp.

I-Traffic rep and former police officer Fran Karp said the Prichard police traffic enforcement partnership goes beyond its other programs and Prichard is now the beta test for future expansion.

“It's been a long road, but you learn as you go along. This is the first program of its kind using officers to write the violations,” said Karp.

She said results so far are good, but the company is seeing things it did not anticipate.

“What we're seeing is a safety program that was originally designed for traffic enforcement has really been reaching into some of the criminal end of things,” said Karp.

Prichard traffic officers have written 1,200 tickets for lack of insurance, no registration, and they have also arrested people on 25 outstanding warrants -- half of which were for felonies.

“It seems to be that people break the law in all regard whether it speeding or anything else. We've even recovered a stolen vehicle,” said Karp.

The program has three uniformed Prichard police officers designated for traffic enforcement. Officials said  they use one of three patrol cars, all of which are unmarked.

“It's probably easier to write tickets if you don't have a roof rack. We've noticed that if we are in an unmarked car, then if it does have a roof rack on, people are passing us as we drive down the highway,” said Karp. “So it doesn't really matter whether the car is black, white, marked, or unmarked.”

Officials said the first $20,000 collected goes toward paying for the officers’ time, the next $15,000 goes to I-Traffic, the remaining money collected is split between the two agencies.  

According to officials, i-Traffic wants to make Prichard its headquarters and showcase it as a model example to other police departments, nationwide.