Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts ordinance to allow school-bus stop-arm cameras; city to contract with school district and police
Summary
The council unanimously adopted an order authorizing installation and operation of school-bus stop-arm camera systems under Chapter 40, Section 71. Vendor representatives said the system is cost-neutral and that footage would be routed to police for citations under state statute.
The Holyoke City Council unanimously adopted an order to allow installation and operation of school-bus stop-arm camera systems under Chapter 40, Section 71 on May 5.
Councilor McGrath Smith told the council the measure came through a joint committee and that the committee heard from Michael Gorman, a regional representative for Bus Patrol. Gorman described a system using front and rear cameras with an AI-based detection system that flags vehicles that illegally pass buses when stop arms are deployed; flagged clips would be retained for 30 days and turned over to police for review. The vendor representative said communities have specified contract language to limit data sharing and protect privacy.
Councilors asked about costs and enforcement; the committee concluded the program can be cost neutral to the city, with citations handled under state statute ($250 per incident) if police pursue them. The council adopted the order by roll call vote without recorded opposition and directed the mayor and school superintendent to oversee contract terms and implementation details.
Next steps: contract negotiations and detailed privacy and data-retention terms to be worked out between the city, school district, police department and a vendor.
