CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — Drivers in Charlotte County will soon see speed cameras enforcing school zone limits, with warnings beginning later this month and $100 citations starting in April, as part of a new countywide safety program.
The School Zone Speed Detection Program is scheduled to begin its warning period on Feb. 27, with automated cameras activated at nine schools during the first phase of the rollout. County officials say the program is designed to slow drivers in school zones and improve safety for students, pedestrians and cyclists.
Watch Fox 4's Alex Orenczuk report on the cameras:
Parents waiting in school pickup lines said speeding through school zones is a real concern.
“At times when she does walk to school and, you know, I'm kind of nervous,” said Steven Taylor. “I mean, and they would be like, cars speeding past her and everything.”
Under the program, drivers traveling 11 miles per hour or more over the posted school zone speed limit will initially receive warnings. Beginning April 1, those warnings will turn into $100 citations, according to county officials.
“I think it's a smart idea,” Taylor said.
The first group of schools includes Deep Creek, Liberty, Neil Armstrong and Peace River elementary schools; L.A. Ainger, Murdock and Port Charlotte middle schools; and Lemon Bay and Port Charlotte high schools. Additional public schools are planned for a second phase of the program, with timing still to be determined.
Parents and guardians Fox 4 spoke with largely supported the cameras.
“I think that's wonderful, because people don't pay any attention,” said Annette Fiedler.
“You can't bring back the life of a child that may be killed by a speeder or an accident or something like that, so I support that wholeheartedly,” said William Massolio.
County officials say each potential violation goes through a three-stage human review process after an initial AI screening to reduce the risk of tickets being issued to non-violators.
Additional signage has been installed at each location, and a new beacon monitoring system is in place to clearly indicate when school zones are enforceable. Drivers who receive a citation will have the option to pay, transfer responsibility to another driver or contest the violation.
Those who request a hearing and are found guilty will be required to pay the $100 citation plus a $250 administrative fee. The county says the program is self-funded and does not rely on general tax revenue.
The county said money generated by the program is reinvested into school safety initiatives, including improvements to hazardous walking conditions, crossing guard retention and law enforcement training.
County staff say camera installations will continue at remaining public schools. School zones located within the City of Punta Gorda are not included in the initial launch and will be activated separately once the city finalizes its own contract.
“I think anything that helps protect children is worthwhile,” Massolio said.
