Lakeland will soon have twice as many traffic enforcement cameras, forcing drivers to slow down or pay up.
The City Commission voted unanimously today to expand its contract with Arizona-based Verra Mobility, which supplied the city’s 19 existing red light cameras as well as Polk County Public Schools’ bus-mounted stop arm cameras.
The amendment would:
- Extend Lakeland’s contract with Verra by five years.
- Add 14 school zone speed-detection cameras.
- Add eight more red light cameras.
- Add eight more pole-mounted license-plate readers to the 19 the city has now.
Why the expansion?
The move is part of the city’s Vision Zero effort to eliminate traffic deaths. Most of the proposals have been under discussion for more than a year.
Lakeland Police asked for more red light cameras and license plate readers in August 2023, when the current contract with Verra was renewed.
Traffic Operations Manager Tess Schwartz told commissioners in March that school zones are a particularly high priority because 25 Polk County students were involved in vehicle-vs-pedestrian crashes during the 2023-2024 school year, many while walking to school.
Thirteen of those students died, including Jaxon Crabtree, a 15-year-old Central Florida Aerospace Academy student hit by a school bus while trying to cross West Pipkin Road.
Where will the new cameras be?
The map below shows where the cameras will go.
State law requires that signs be installed, notifying drivers about the presence of school zone cameras. The city also plans to mount a public information campaign before enforcement begins.
“This is about changing behavior,” Assistant Police Chief Hans Lehman told commissioners Friday at an agenda study session.
The police department has found that 85% of drivers who receive tickets don’t get cited again.
Red light cameras operate all day, but the school zone cameras will only be active while yellow signals are flashing, about 30 minutes before and after the school day.
When will the cameras be installed?
That will depend on Verra, Lehman said.
“We were hoping to have the school zones up by the beginning of the school year,” he said.
Traffic operations staff have said October is more likely.
There will be a state-mandated 30-day warning period before drivers are fined for speeding in school zones.
How much are the fines?
The fine for red light camera violations is $158.
A police officer reviews each incident before citations are mailed.
The fine for driving more than 10 miles over the limit in a school zone will be $100. Those incidents will also be reviewed by an officer before citations are issued.
Both programs are self-funding. The fines cover the cost of the cameras and additional staff.
The ordinance commissioners passed earlier this month authorizing school zone cameras specified that offenders will not get any points on their driver’s licenses, and insurance companies cannot use violations to raise rates.
The same is true of red light violations, unless the driver challenges the ticket and is found guilty or doesn’t pay and the ticket is forwarded to the Clerk of Courts.
Privacy concerns
Lakeland began its red light camera program in 2009. Over the years, some residents have questioned whether license plate readers and red light cameras violate citizens’ privacy rights.
Police Chief Sam Taylor has said there is no expectation of privacy on public roadways. In addition, the police department cannot use red light or school zone cameras for surveillance beyond their intended use.
“They are a force multiplier,” Taylor said, noting that traffic enforcement cameras allow officers to focus on other crimes.
Caught on camera
Ultimately, city officials hope the deterrent effect of fines will save lives.
LPD presented a powerful compilation of red-light-camera videos last year that showed 17 violations in 1 minute, 24 seconds. Many drivers nearly caused serious accidents.
All got citations.
Cindy Glover is a reporter for LkldNow, a nonprofit newsroom providing independent local news for Lakeland. Read at LkldNow.com.
