The Prairie City Police Department announced the Iowa Department of Transportation has denied a permit request to operate automatic traffic cameras within the city limits of the community. In a press release issued Tuesday, the department announced cameras on Highway 163 and South State Street will no longer be in operations. However, any violations prior to October 1st remain enforceable. Police Chief Kevin Gott says the goal of the program was to increase traffic safety, however, he also acknowledged revenue will be reduced by the decision. He cited 63 accidents from 2016 to 2019 and 28 in the four years since the cameras have been in service.

“While the total volume of traffic has remained basically the same, the number of vehicles traveling greater than 10 miles per hour over the limit has greatly decreased,” he said.

The chief says he’s disappointed by the decision, and says the majority of applications for the program have been denied after a bill passed in the Iowa Legislature this past session aimed to restrict the use of traffic camera enforcement.