All Rockland public schools join stop-arm camera program ahead of school year

"

Ahead of the new school year, Rockland County and school officials are reminding drivers to not pass stopped school busses. "Please watch for those stop arms and please be careful," said Superintendent of Clarkstown School District Marc Baiocco Tuesday morning outside of Clarkstown North High School in New City. This is the first year that all public schools in Rockland have joined the county program that puts stop-arm cameras on busses. A county spokesperson tells News 12 that 1,032 busses have the cameras with 190 more waiting to have the tech installed. Officials say more than 17,000 citations were issued during the last school year. Fines are split between the county and a company called BusPatrol , which provides the technology to catch violators. "I've heard some commentary that this is just a money grab. No, it's a strong message that the safety of our kids is a nonnegotiable," Rockland County Executive Ed Day. Private schools are signing on too. News 12 reported that two private school children died earlier this year after being hit by busses. "We have a lot of private schools connected to the system and there are other private schools that are getting the cameras installed on the busses,” said Stephen Powers, Rockland County Director of Public Policy. New York state estimates 50,000 drivers illegally pass school busses every day. "