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Councilmember Conwell pushes legislation and resolution to require school bus stop-arm cameras
Summary
Councilmember Kevin Conwell introduced and promoted legislation to fine drivers who pass school buses with stop arms extended, and noted Resolution 3 33 urging Cleveland Metropolitan School District to install stop-arm cameras had been introduced for review.
Councilmember Kevin Conwell on March 10, 2025, urged colleagues to adopt legislation that would strengthen enforcement against drivers who pass school buses while stop arms are extended and urged quick action from the council’s safety chair.
Conwell said the proposal would allow for civil fines of up to $250 for drivers who fail to stop for school bus stop arms and would create a “safe camera fund” to pay for camera purchases and maintenance. He told the council the measure is intended to change driver behavior by adding enforcement and dedicated revenue for equipment.
“Right now … they go right around it, and guess what they're doing, mister mayor? They're putting our children at risk,” Councilmember Kevin Conwell said, urging colleagues to sponsor the legislation and to work with Safety Chair Michael Polencic. Conwell said other cities have similar programs and that revenue from fines would be used to maintain equipment.
Earlier in the meeting, the council read Resolution 3 33 20 25 by Councilmember Conwell, a first-reading measure “strongly encouraging Cleveland Metropolitan School District to install school bus stop arm safety cameras that will capture drivers who fail to stop when the bus stop arm is out.” The resolution was introduced on first reading and referred for administrative or committee review; no adoption vote for Resolution 3 33 was recorded in the transcript.
Conwell spoke at length in the miscellaneous section about advancing both the resolution and accompanying legislation. He said he and Councilmember Michael Polencic plan to circulate the ordinance among councilmembers for sponsors; he described the enforcement fine, the dedicated fund, and the goal of changing driver behavior.
The meeting record does not show a formal vote on an ordinance to enact the fines, nor does it show the Cleveland Metropolitan School District responding. Councilmembers did not take final legislative action on the camera mandate during the session.
