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Punta Gorda approves school‑zone speed cameras after debate over hours and county consistency
Summary
After a presentation from police and vendor RedSpeed, the council approved an ordinance authorizing automated speed detection in school zones (4–1 vote). Council and the public debated whether the city should match the county’s flashing‑lights practice or authorize the broader 30‑minute statutory window.
Punta Gorda’s City Council voted 4–1 on April 22 to approve GA‑02‑2026, an ordinance authorizing automated speed‑detection cameras in designated school zones.
Chief Pam Smith, who led the presentation, said the cameras are aimed at saving lives by reducing vehicle speeds where children travel to and from school. “The risk of pedestrian fatalities is less when the speed is 20 miles an hour or less,” she said, and noted other Florida cities have seen reductions of about 90 percent in repeat speeding behaviors after cameras were installed.
Vendor RedSpeed’s representative David described…
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