Chattanooga’s photo enforcement program is expanding as the revenue it produces is flowing in at a slower rate.
The program’s growth comes as a smaller percentage of citations are issued and paid, according to data obtained through a public records request. The city’s contract with the vendor was included in the request, and it shows the revenue split, expansion incentives and the city’s courtroom obligations.
Between 2022 and 2024, the percentage of citations paid per year dropped from 47% to 37%. Within the first half of 2025, that number sank further to 34%.
The number of tickets issued has also fallen. In the first six months of 2022, about 39,000 violations were sent out. For the same period in 2025, the citation count dropped to 27,000. The city’s revenue from the citations fell 43% in that time.
According to city spokesperson Stephanie Cepak, the decline in citations indicates the camera program is having its intended effect on public safety. Most drivers pay their citations, she said, but the city also offers lump sum and payment plan options as low as $5 a month.