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Charlotte County approves school‑zone speed camera ordinance, sets review and magistrate process
Summary
The Board approved an ordinance authorizing automated speed‑detection systems in school zones, with staff and vendors to implement a phased program that will operate during school hours and include a warning period and administrative review process.
Charlotte County commissioners on Sept. 9 adopted an ordinance authorizing the use of automated speed‑detection systems to enforce school‑zone speed limits in unincorporated areas.
Public Works and the sheriff’s office presented the program, which uses lane‑specific high‑resolution cameras and infrared illumination to record vehicles traveling 11 mph or more over posted school speeds. Red Speed, the vendor that will process images and provide a verification review before a traffic enforcement officer issues a civil notice, summarized deployments in other Florida municipalities that reported speed reductions of roughly 88–95 percent in enforced school zones.
The ordinance adopted by the board allows camera deployment in school zones and sets program parameters: systems will operate around scheduled school activities (the current plan calls for 30 minutes before scheduled breakfast programs through 30 minutes after start of day, and 30 minutes before dismissal through 30 minutes after dismissal), images will be reviewed twice by Red Speed staff and once by a sheriff’s traffic enforcement officer before a civil notice is mailed, and a special magistrate review process will be available for disputed notices. Civil penalties follow state statutory allocations: $100 civil penalty with statutorily directed remittances to state and local funds and the vendor share as prescribed by state law.
The program includes a public education/warning period before citations are issued. The board asked that signage and messaging be coordinated with the school board and local municipalities. Punta Gorda officials indicated they plan to pursue a separate but similar ordinance for municipal schools.
The board’s adoption was unanimous. Commissioners asked staff to continue coordination with local municipalities and the school district and to finalize implementation details such as the magistrate schedule and signage. Staff expects to open initial sites after the warning period and vendor/test processes are completed.
