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Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Constable Resigns Over 'Money Grab' Speed Camera Program That Issued 4000 Tickets in 2 Weeks
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Citizens often complain that speed traps are little more than a cash grab from the government. Often, it's unclear just how true that is, but in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, we now have evidence of it. In fact, the man behind a speed enforcement plot admitted it was intended just to raise evidence for his organization in his own resignation letter. That man is now-former Ward 2 constable Ron Tetzel. In October of 2024, he began running a budget speed camera enforcement zone near a local school, according to WBRZ ABC 2 news. In this case, Tetzel had people with a radar gun-based camera system hide out and photograph alleged speeders as they drove by the school. In just two weeks, he issued over 4000 citations to drivers, each one valued at $150. That's roughly $600,000 in revenue, which was meant to have been split between the constable's office, the speed camera company, and the school district. There was a problem, though: the constable's office had no authority to issue the citations, as the constable had not established a cooperative endeavor agreement with the school board as required by law, according to WBRZ. By late November, the local police department was putting out Facebook statements telling citizens not to pay the tickets. Louisiana state senator, Caleb Kleinpeter then responded to that post saying, "I just got off of the phone with Attorney General Murrill who has told me to inform all DO NOT PAY this civil violation. If you did we are working to see how you can be reimbursed." Within just a couple of days, the senator had gone as far as to call the ticketing method illegal. "I am a huge supporter of law enforcement, but this is nothing but a money grab," he said to WBRZ. More surprising: Tetzel admitted that himself when resigning. In a letter dated March 12, 2025 but only recently uncovered, Tetzel wrote, "In an effort to evolve this office and position from a half-baked "Mayberry" operation into a functioning service entity that actually serves the community, the Ward 2 Justice of the Peace and I engaged with multiple entities... to conduct traffic photo enforcement in an unincorporated school zone within the parish." He complained that as a constable, his monthly stipend was just $380 and that he had to use his personal vehicle, weapon, and protective equipment, and said wanted the money to fund a full-time office, to procure items for the job, and to fund other projects. "I never expected or intended to get rich doing this service, but I equally did not expect to have to dedicate so many personal resources to my own safety or ability to do this job," Tetzel said. In addition, in his resignation letter, Tetzel claimed that the state attorney general's office knew about the plan and approved it, and called Kleinpeter and AG Liz Murrill "self-important, unaccountable, soundbite-obsessed officials." At least now none of them have to work together. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Fishing groups push to postpone protections for endangered right whale to 2035
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine congressman and several commercial fishing groups are getting behind a push to delay rules designed to protect a vanishing species of whale for 10 years. The North Atlantic right whale numbers only about 370 and has declined over the last 15 years. They have been the subject of proposed federal fishing laws that are backed by conservation groups because the whales are threatened by lethal entanglement in commercial fishing gear. The federal government is in the midst of a pause on federal right whale rules until 2028. Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine and a coalition of fishing organizations said in letters to congressional officials that they want to extend that moratorium out to 2035. Golden, who played a role in the initial moratorium, said extending the pause would give the government the time it needs to craft regulations that reflect science. He also said it would protect Maine's lifesblood lobster fishing industry, which is one of the fishing sectors that would have to comply with rules intended to protect right whales. 'Maine's lobster fishery has most recently been valued at more than half a billion dollars — and that's just the value of the catch. It also supports tens of thousands of jobs. It is an iconic part of our state's economy, heritage and appeal to visitors,' Golden said in a July 22 letter to a subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee. The extension of the moratorium was originally proposed by Alaska Republican Nick Begich. It's one of several changes to the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act proposed by Begich, who like Golden represents a state with a large commercial fishing industry. The changes have drawn condemnation from environmental organizations and praise from commercial fishing groups. A group of fishing organizations including the Maine Lobstermen's Association said in a July 21 letter to the subcommittee that 'heavy regulation comes at a heavy cost.' The whales were once numerous off the East Coast, but they were decimated during the era of commercial whaling and have been slow to recover. They are also threatened by collisions with large ships. The population of the whales fell about 25% from 2010 to 2020. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
21 minutes ago
- CBS News
Fiesta Del Sol organizers demand ICE agents not make any unannounced visits during event
The popular Fiesta Del Sol festival kicks off this week in Pilsen, and organizers are asking ICE agents not to make unannounced visits. Earlier this month, federal agents arrived at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture days before the museum hosted Barrio Fest. The agents said their presence had nothing to do with immigration arrests. Most of them stayed in the parking lot, according to staff. People concerned about the Fiesta Del Sol gathered in Pilsen on Monday morning. Organizers are demanding that immigration enforcement agencies not target their celebrations. "We're in a new moment and ICE is targeting our communities, and our neighbors," Brandon Lee with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights said. "ICE is constantly adopting new tactics, and they are abducting more people than ever. It's no secret that they're focusing on parks and public spaces." Community leaders said festival organizers need to be prepared to protect their friends and neighbors, whether or not agents show up.
