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Automated school‑zone enforcement pitched after Greenacres speed study; city officials seek clarifications
Summary
Verint Mobility presented a February speed study showing 527 potential violations at one school over three days and more than 3,200 potential violations across 11 school zones. The company proposed a turnkey automated enforcement program; council members asked about evidence review, contest procedures, warning periods and revenue sharing.
Verint Mobility on April 21 presented findings from a February speed study of Greenacres school zones and outlined a turnkey automated enforcement program to reduce speeding around schools.
Matt Reich, Verint Mobility representative, told the council the firm recorded a three‑day speed study that showed “527 violations in just 3 days” at one location and “over 3,200 potential violations” across 11 school zones. Reich said more than 50 of the recorded violations involved drivers traveling more than 25 miles per hour over the speed limit.
Reich described a vendor-managed program that would provide hardware, installation, public outreach, software for event processing, evidence-package creation and ongoing maintenance. He said Verint would build evidence packages and send them to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for officer review and approval; once approved, the city would receive the citation payments and the vendor would invoice the city for services.
Council members asked how the technology captures speed and how evidence is reviewed. Council Member Dugo raised the 527‑violation figure and clarified it was a potential violation from the speed study; Reich confirmed the numbers came from radar tracks during the study period and that day‑to‑day counts will vary. Reich said the vendor’s system would “send it to Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, and they will have an officer approve that.”
On contest procedures, Reich said the notice-of-violation process will mirror red‑light camera and automated enforcement programs elsewhere: an initial contest through a special magistrate or the clerk of courts, and if converted to a uniform traffic citation, a contest in county court. Reich said the vendor typically supports the city and court processes and that an initial community‑awareness or warning period is standard; he recommended a 30‑day warning period but said the council could set a longer one.
Council Member Diaz asked whether the vendor already works elsewhere in Palm Beach County; Reich said Verint is contracted with Boynton Beach and is in the implementation phase there. Diaz and others also asked about revenue sharing; Reich said the percentage would be finalized in contract negotiations.
Reich referenced national studies he said show “an 80 percent reduction in speeding in these school zones and a 19 percent reduction in fatal injuries,” and urged the council to consider cameras and a community awareness campaign to change driver behavior.
No formal action was taken tonight; council members asked staff to continue conversations with the vendor and to include details on enforcement, evidence review, contest procedures, warning periods and revenue sharing in any future contract or ordinance language.
