Manatee County ends school zone speed camera program. But some are still active
Just four months after beginning to use cameras to catch drivers speeding through local school zones, Manatee County officials have ended the controversial program.
The Manatee County Commission originally voted in early 2024 to install dozens of cameras that helped deputies issue tickets to anyone driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit in school zones. But commissioners took a step in February to cut back on tickets following resident complaints.
Some residents and county officials accused the cameras of being a “money grab.” Despite being billed as a way to make school zones safer, the cameras ticketed drivers speeding through school zones throughout the day, even when children were not likely to be outside.
“I want to stop this camera program altogether. It’s not serving its intended purpose,” said Commissioner Bob McCann, who first raised the issue in February.
On Tuesday, McCann urged his fellow commissioners to end the program, and the board voted 5 to 2 to stop using the cameras to issue tickets starting Thursday. Commissioners Mike Rahn and Tal Siddique voted against the proposal.
Despite the end of the school zone speed camera program, Manatee County officials urged local drivers to continue following traffic laws, including the posted speed limit.
“To be clear, going 10 miles over the speed limit is still illegal in Manatee County,” Commissioner George Kruse noted.
“Our top priority is the protection of students, parents and school staff, and we urge drivers to follow posted speed limits to ensure their safety around our schools,” added Jodie Fiske, Manatee County’s public safety director. “We are committed to ensuring our community remains safe and appreciate the continued support and cooperation of all who contribute to this effort.”
Manatee County ends use of school zone cameras
In a statement provided to the Bradenton Herald, a School District of Manatee County spokesperson also encouraged drivers to continue driving carefully around local schools.
“Manatee District schools will still have reduced speed zones around each campus and we ask all drivers to drive safely and cautiously when passing our schools,” said Michael Barber, the district’s director of communications.
According to the latest data, more than 55,000 tickets have been issued since the county began using the cameras to ticket speeding drivers. At $100 per violation, the tickets totaled more than $5.5 million in six months.
Manatee County Government partnered with RedSpeed, a Maryland-based company, to begin using the cameras to ticket drivers. RedSpeed has similar partnerships with other Florida municipalities, including the city of Bradenton.
The RedSpeed cameras automatically captured speeding drivers and sent video footage to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office for deputies to review before local law enforcement officials issued $100 tickets for confirmed violations.
But the cameras quickly came under fire from residents who found the program unfair. Speaking during a recent public meeting, several residents came forward to share concerns about the cameras for tickets that happened outside of school zone hours.
“I think most people that see the flashing signs, they put on the brakes, the ones that blow through, they deserve the $300 ticket, as far as I’m concerned,” Glen Gibellina, a Manatee County resident, said at the time. “As long as they’re flashing, it’s the only time the camera should be on. They’re not flashing, then all bets are off.”
Bradenton school zone cameras remain active
However, some school zone speed cameras in Manatee County remain active. The Bradenton City Council has not discussed whether the city will modify its school speed camera program, a city spokesperson said.
“It will be up to the City Council to determine whether they wish to follow suit,” said Tiffany Shadik, the city’s public information manager.
According to the Bradenton Police Department’s website, the school zone speed cameras remain active at 10 schools within Bradenton city limits, including Prine Elementary School, Sugg Middle School and Manatee High School.
Those cameras will continue to be used to ticket anyone driving 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit throughout the school day.
In Bradenton, more than 3,000 tickets have been issued since the program began in November, said Meredith Frameli, the agency’s spokesperson. For more information on Bradenton’s speed camera program, visit www.BradentonPD.com/SchoolZoneCameras.
