PRAIRIE CITY, Iowa — Prairie City has turned off its two traffic cameras after the Iowa Department of Transportation denied its request to keep them earlier this week.
The city has had automated traffic enforcement systems, or ATEs, operating since 2021. One is located along Highway 163, and another near the city's elementary school.
The state deemed Prairie City's ATEs as "not necessary," and told the police department it would soon provide a more in-depth explanation on why.
Prairie City Police Chief Kevin Gott told Local 5 News he was shocked with the decision.
"We had traffic volume numbers, we had accident numbers, we had means of enforcement," he explained. "We had everything that they were asking for, and we met all of their conditions. So we were really surprised when we got denied."
Law enforcement are required to have a permit to install and manage ATEs under a bill signed into law this past year by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Over the past three years, Prairie City's traffic cameras caught drivers speeding 82,000 times, which generated close to $4 million. That money was going to fund a new fire station.
However, the city will have to look elsewhere in its budget now that the cameras won't help issue tickets.
But, during the past year or so, the number of citations has decreased compared to when the cameras were first turned on.
"They [people] know the cameras are here," Chief Gott said. "They slow down when they get to town and then they pick it right back up. It is what it is. But that just shows how affective they were."
Now the police department will have to issue speeding citations manually, relying heavily on its three full-time officers.
Cities that were denied permits for traffic cameras, like Prairie City, have the option to appeal the DOT's decision.