ST. MARTINVILLE — St. Martinville Police Chief Ricky Martin approached the St. Martinville mayor and St. Martinville City Council to talk about the need for an increase of fines for traffic violations in the city at Tuesday night’s meeting.

City Councilman Craig Prosper said that outgoing  costs for the city has increased that calls for the need for more incoming revenue. 

Martin added the city also  should make more use of the resources the city does have.

“Anything that’s not a traffic offense should have a mandatory court appearance,” Martin said.

“We can start putting people on probation because we are paying a probation officer but we’re not using the person,” the police chief said.

Prosper said there have been increased complaints of speeding in town. He also said the proposed fines were not higher than those in neighboring municipalities such as Broussard and Youngsville.

The council considered increasing city fines by  $50 or possibly $75.

Martin was asked to come back to council and present what effect a $50 increase in fines would have on the city’s budget.

Meanwhile, Martin also announced that a D.A.R.E. program grant has been approved for the city. He said this will allow for the D.A.R.E. program to reach every school in the city, the person facilitating the program will also act as a school resource officer for all local schools.