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Villa Rica council debates flashing lights at school speed-camera locations; chief cites roughly $25,000 estimate and DOT option
Summary
Councilman Warmoth asked the council to require flashing lights at the city’s school-zone speed-camera locations for transparency and safety. The police chief said adding lights at both city camera locations would cost 'around $25,000' but that DOT may offer a no-cost program; staff will return in January with options for council to decide.
Councilman Warmoth introduced a request to add flashing lights at city school-zone speed-camera locations, arguing the lights improve motorist awareness and consistency across school zones. He said the intent is safety, not revenue, and noted citizen complaints about cameras being perceived as revenue drivers.
Chief Mansour and staff described the current configuration: one city-operated camera zone already has flashing lights (Glanton Hindsman), while other school zones within city limits do not. The chief said there are three ways to proceed: pay for city-installed lights using camera-generated funds or payment-plan financing, use a DOT program the city discussed with state officials that may provide the system at no direct cost to the city, or propose alternative pedestrian crossing flashers. The chief estimated adding flashers to both city camera zones would be in the neighborhood of $25,000.
Council members questioned why some flashing lights had been installed by the school boards or county while others were not, and asked whether the school boards or county should bear costs. Staff clarified that the county-controlled zone on Highway 61 (Bay Spring area) is under county/sheriff control; city-operated camera zones are administered by the city and revenue from civil tickets is received by local law enforcement under the contract model discussed.
Council agreed to have staff and the chief prepare options, cost breakdowns and any potential DOT program details and return in January with recommendations for the council to decide. No formal ordinance or vote was taken on the flashing-light installation at this meeting.
