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Council debates school-zone camera impacts after residents report multiple tickets; police cite speed reductions
Summary
Residents told the council they received multiple school-zone citations in a short time; police said the camera program is reducing speeding (research range cited 14-65%, the department trending about 60%) and pointed to planned magistrate hearings and data review. Councilmembers discussed signage, warning periods and vendor adjustments.
Bradenton City Council on Wednesday spent extended time discussing the city's automated enforcement program for school-zone and red-light cameras after several residents reported receiving multiple citations within a short period.
Councilmember Moore and others relayed constituent concerns about people receiving a flurry of notices before they realized they needed to change driving behavior; one councilmember said she had heard of a resident who received 10 notices. Moore credited Officer Giddens for responsive assistance to two callers but said the city might need to review signage and vendor settings to reduce confused citations.
Chief of Police (presenter) defended the program and cited research showing automated camera programs reduce speeding by "anywhere from 14 to 65%. I think we're trending right now at about 60%." The chief said the cameras have served as a "behavior modifier" and have allowed officers to focus on other enforcement priorities; he also said the department reviews the camera data weekly. He noted six magistrate hearings are scheduled to review contested citations.
Council discussion touched on warning periods and whether signage (including blinking lights and posted times) is adequate. Several councilmembers said they support school-zone enforcement as a child-safety measure but agreed some vendor or signage tweaks could reduce unintended multiple notices for drivers unfamiliar with time-of-day speed limits.
No formal policy change was made; the council asked staff to continue data review, consider signage improvements and plan outreach or workshops to explain program details to residents.
