Hopewell to roll out speed cameras in school zones

HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) — The first day of school is fast approaching for Hopewell City Public Schools. In an effort to keep students and staff safe, leaders with the city and the Hopewell Police Department are rolling out new speed cameras by the end of July 2024.

Classes are back in session for the district on July 29, which is also when the warning period for the speed cameras begin.

Neighbors who live near the city’s only middle school say they are looking forward to cameras being installed. One resident was even hit by a car near Carter G Woodson Middle and says the cameras would provide her with a better sense of safety when she has to leave her home.

“That’s dangerous, right? It is dangerous right there. Now, I’m scared, I’m 73 years old. I am scared to go out. I used to cross and thought that I knew how to cross the street,” said Jeane Minnicks.

Minnicks lives right down the street from the middle school.

The city of Hopewell is installing speed cameras in school zones with the goal of making sure drivers slow down and go the speed limit, which Minnicks says is a good start.

“This is where a lot of traffic is at. This one intersection has a lot of traffic. The fire department, ambulances, everything flies through here,” Minnicks said.

The city will place the new speed cameras in three school zones near — Harry E. James Elementary, Carter G. Woodson Middle and Hopewell high schools.

Hopewell will launch a 30-day warning period starting on the first day of school — Monday, July 29. One month later, city police officers will start issuing citations to drivers on Aug. 28.

This act means relief for Minnicks, who was hit by a car on Winsten Churchill drive near carter G. Woodson Middle School last October.

“So, the car hit me, and it was scary, you know, very scary. and right now, I’m still scared to cross it. I don’t feel safe to go back and cross that street and right there,” she said.

Jasmine Bagnall has lived in Hopewell for almost 3 years. She hopes the new speed cameras will make the area safer for anyone crossing the street.

“It’s been hectic,” she said. “It would make the cars slow down and make the cars not go so fast. and I can walk to the store if I need to. I wouldn’t have to. You know, I’m going to have to look both ways. but like cars, they need to slow down. “

Hopewell isn’t the first city to use speed cameras. Petersburg City Public Schools started using them in October of 2023. The cost of each citation will be $100.

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