Speed-detection cameras coming to Haines City school zones

HAINES CITY, Fla. (WFLA) — Speeding in Haines City school zones during the school day will soon guarantee a ticket.

Speed cameras are in the works at nine locations in the city, believed to be the first such program in Polk County.

“I think it’s probably a good idea to have more eyes on those zones,” said Rodney Hatch, a Polk County father.

To Hatch, anything intended to improve safety, especially when it comes to children, is worth it.

“That’s probably a good idea despite the penalty that people will incur because our kids are more important than a ticket,” he said.

Speed cameras detect vehicles moving over the posted speed limit, which is 15 to 20 miles per hour in school zones during certain hours of the school day.

The cameras record the tag numbers and then tickets are sent in the mail to the owner of the vehicle.

Michael Disney of Lake Wales argues they are not unpopular and not a good idea.

“We’re not answering to other humans,” he said. “We’re answering to computers and other systems and that doesn’t seem like a good idea to me at all.”

Haines City city leaders have approved the use of speed cameras at school zones in the city.

“One injury or one fatality is one too many for us,” said Deputy Police Chief Jay Hopwood.

According to Hopwood, the cameras will not cost the city anything.

The company operating the cameras will get a cut of the fines from tickets.

The cameras will be active only during the school day, Hopwood said.

One speed study conducted by the city recorded more than 1,000 violations over three days at a Haines City high school.

“There’s no doubt that it’s all for safety reasons,” Hopwood said. “We get complaints throughout the whole school year regarding speeders, reckless drivers.”

City leaders must choose between five companies that made presentations about their cameras.
Deputy Chief Hopwood said the goal is to have the cameras installed during the upcoming school year.

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