JUSTICE FOR PARTY BUSES FIGHTS BACK
Suddenly the city is concerned that residents are driving safely in school zones, making sure party buses are safe and making space for folks on bikes. But the current campaign to raise fines has nothing to do with safety and everything to do with the city trying yet again to bleed working class New Orleanians dry.
Consider Mayor Cantrell’s decision to reject the idea of an advance notice that school zones ticketing speeds would change. If it was about safety, the city would have publicized it, and educated residents about the change. Her aides suggested that she give a warning, but she rejected it. It’s really about levying another tax on New Orleanians.
When a rich person gets a ticket, the expense is nothing to them. Or they can afford to park in an over-priced lot or take Uber wherever they like. But when a worker gets a ticket, it’s a crisis that can turn into a nightmare.
The attack on party bus operators is another attack on one of the few economic areas still controlled by Black drivers. Is the plan to put them out of business and bring in some white businessman with loads of bank cash to take over? Or just to shut down an aspect of Black life that the white elites don’t like? The move to gentrify the area under the Claiborne bridge is another example of the city taking away a significant gathering spot for Black people just to satisfy real estate developers.
Raising tickets to $300 for parking in a bike lane is horrendous. Did the city study why people park there? Most are just trying to drop off a child or pick someone up, not permanently park. Some streets like N. Galvez have just a bike lane on one side of the street but people live there. Should their kids run across the street to get into a car, or double park to get out their groceries? Did the city consider this problem?
Safety comes from education and support. Every school, library, community center, organization and church would gladly lend a hand to do presentations about traffic safety. But this was never about safety. It’s a money grab at the expense of those least able to pay.