Arkansas Bans Parkin Police from Issuing Speeding Tickets Until 2030 Over Revenue Concerns

Arkansas prosecutors have accused the Parkin Police Department of using traffic enforcement primarily to generate revenue rather than enhance public safety. In response, officers have been barred from issuing speeding tickets on state and federal highways within city limits until December 31, 2030.

Violating this order could result in misdemeanor charges for every citation issued. The ban applies not only to speeding tickets but to all traffic citations on federal and state highways.

Investigation Reveals Revenue-Driven Enforcement

According to a letter dated April 23, First Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Todd Murray stated that the Parkin Police Department had been enforcing traffic and criminal laws primarily to collect fines. A 2024 audit found the town collected $284,752 in fines and related revenue in a single year.

For a town as small as Parkin, this figure raised significant concerns about whether ticketing practices were prioritizing revenue over public safety.

State Investigation Follows Years of Complaints

The Arkansas State Police launched an investigation in 2024 after receiving repeated complaints from drivers about what Murray described as “abusive ticketing practices.” The state’s actions contradict the city’s claims that it had not violated Arkansas’ Speed Trap Law.

Parkin’s reputation for aggressive ticketing is not new. As far back as 2007, the town gained attention in a national television report for similar practices. Further evidence of the practice may be visible on Google Maps, which appears to show a Parkin officer in a Ford Crown Victoria parked at a defunct fuel station at the town’s main intersection.

Local Law Enforcement Coverage Remains Unaffected

While Parkin officers are prohibited from patrolling federal and state highways within city limits, legitimate law enforcement coverage will continue. The Arkansas State Police and the Cross County Sheriff’s Office will assume patrolling duties in the affected areas.

Any officer who violates the ban by issuing citations on federal or state highways could face misdemeanor charges for each summons written.