Overview
- The Tampa City Council approved the ordinance on first reading Thursday to authorize speed-detection cameras at 18 school zones, with a final public hearing and vote set for July 16.
- City documents cite a RedSpeed count that found the worst site, St. Lawrence Catholic School, logged 17,044 vehicles over two days and 6,043 speeding events during school windows.
- Officials say cameras will only operate during active school-enforcement periods when flashers and student presence are verified and will use higher or lower speed thresholds depending on whether flashers are on.
- The proposed fine is $100 per violation and city documents require that portions of revenue pay administration and the state, fund the school district for security and transportation projects, and support a crossing-guard recruitment program.
- Council members pressed staff for more information about the RedSpeed vendor, data-sharing with companies like Flock, and tighter rules on how revenue is used while also asking for a public education period and complementary safety measures such as larger signs and flashing lights.