Injunction filed over Moss Point’s new hand-held traffic cameras

The City of Moss Point is facing a possible lawsuit after introducing a non-contact speed radar and camera to the police department.

Attorney David Futch of Pascagoula has filed an injunction against the City of Moss Point after nearly two dozen people walked into his office with a speeding they received in the mail.

According to the Mississippi Code, no governing body can enforce an ordinance that authorizes the use of automatic recording equipment to enforce compliance with traffic laws.

The code defines automatic recording equipment as “…a camera or optical device installed to work in conjunction with a traffic control signal or radar speed detection equipment or both and designed to record images that depict the license plate attached to the rear of a motor vehicle.”

Moss Point announced the radar program earlier this month. The cameras are operated manually by a police officer. The officer clocks the speed and then takes a photo of the license plate.

By getting this case on a Judge’s desk, Attorney David Futch said he hopes the law can be more refined.

“What we’re going to do is try to get the judge to clarify the law whether or not an officer can hold it by hand versus having it in a static position,” said Futch. “And then, we’re going to ask the legislature to be more specific and close any loopholes a city may see in order to start a new revenue stream or make it less labor-intensive to enforce the law.”

We reached out to Moss Point Police for comment on this issue. The chief responded Wednesday afternoon saying he was unavailable for an interview at this time. We are working on scheduling an interview with Chief Brandon Ashley for Moss Point’s side of this story.