Insurance information from Ocean Springs traffic camera angers Gautier people

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OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) – It’s been more than a year since Ocean Springs installed cameras at intersections. The cameras are designed to catch drivers without auto insurance.

Last year, the city issued more than 2,000 tickets for violations. One of those tickets was sent to a Gautier man who said he had never received a traffic report before, saying he was falsely accused and now needs answers from the city.

MORE: Residents file lawsuit against Ocean Springs traffic cameras that flag uninsured vehicles

Terry Reynolds was shocked when he opened a letter saying that he had no insurance on his newly purchased pickup and had to provide proof of insurance or pay a $300 fine.

“Apparently they took a picture of my digital number and told me I broke the law by breaking it code S63-15-4,” Reynolds said. “They treat me as a criminal, and now I will go to court to prove my innocence in this matter.”

Reynolds’ license plate photo was taken Nov. 28 when he went to Ocean Springs for a medical check-up. He said he didn’t know the camera was there to catch uninsured drivers.

“I thought it was a scam,” Reynolds said. “I almost threw up, especially since the signature was just a rubber band. No one has signed it yet. It’s like sending out hundreds of them and hoping they catch one.”

MORE: Why one Mississippi mayor protested the installation of dash cams found in Ocean Springs

Reynolds said he will show city officials proof he had insurance on the truck, but he wants more than just not paying a fine for his trouble.

“I probably won’t do business in Ocean Springs again until they apologize to me for this bad thing,” Reynolds said. “I want an apology from this police officer, the police officer as well as the mayor if he accepts this. All of them owe me an apology and anyone else who gave a statement for that they should run to make all of this happen.

In 2022, according to the city, Ocean Springs collected $383,000 from drivers caught by the cameras without insurance.

More information on how the camera insurance card program works: https://oceansprings-ms.gov/police-department/vehicleinsuranceprogram/

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