The Lakeland City Commission on Tuesday approved two ordinances expanding automated traffic enforcement: one updating school‑zone speed detection locations and another adding specified red‑light camera installations.

Assistant Chief Hans Lehman and Sergeant Chad Mulbower described the changes. Lehman said two previously proposed school‑zone camera locations were dropped because they lacked the required flashing signals and suggested alternative locations, including two cameras on Sleepy Hill (both directions) and an additional camera on Beacon Road to cover multiple schools. Staff said each school‑zone installation meets sign and flashing‑light standards.

"We initially had a limited number of locations we wanted to install," Lehman said. After review with the city’s vendor and traffic operations, he said the team identified locations better aligned with crash and pedestrian‑traffic data.

Mulbower presented the annual red‑light program report required by state law for the 12‑month period that ran from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. The department issued 27,644 notices of violation in that reporting period; 688 violations were contested, 623 were upheld and 5 were dismissed. The number of uniform traffic citations issued was 6,605 and paid violations totaled 17,003. The report listed gross red‑light camera revenue of $3,542,548.01; the city remitted $1,565,087.07 to the State of Florida and reported city administration fees and expenses of $1,070,000.80 with $906,802.72 to the general fund.

Commissioner Stephanie Madden framed the approvals as part of the city’s Vision Zero safety efforts and urged patience from drivers during the first weeks of enforcement. Staff said the city will run a 30‑day public awareness campaign and issue warnings for 30 days at newly activated camera locations before citations begin.

Commission discussion included whether camera enforcement changes driver behavior; staff said traffic growth has increased violations in some corridors but the goal is to reduce dangerous driving over time.

The Commission approved both ordinances by unanimous votes. Staff said certain proposed camera locations (two on Bartow Road near Lime Street and others affected by construction) were removed after site reviews and replaced with sites better supported by crash history and signal configuration.

Why this matters: The changes expand automated enforcement in locations the city says pose a heightened safety risk for pedestrians and schoolchildren; the annual report gives the public a year‑long accounting of notices, contests and how revenue was distributed.

Implementation notes: staff will publicize new camera locations and run a warning period; questions remain about the roughly 10,000 notices that were not paid in the reporting year and staff committed to follow up with additional data on holds and collections.