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Tampa expands school zone camera program
More speed detection cameras are going up around Tampa schools where speeders are practically hitting a fever pitch. FOX 13’s Evan Axelbank reports.
TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa City Council members voted Thursday to approve an ordinance updating the city code to operate automated speed detection systems in 18 school zones.
Tampa speed camera ordinance
What we know:
The new measure adjusts Tampa’s local code to establish a specific list of school zones where automated speed cameras can monitor drivers.
City records show the decision comes after a RedSpeed traffic study looked at 31 school zones across 29 campuses. Investigators discovered severe speeding issues at 18 of those locations, with daily averages ranging from 200 to more than 3,000 violations per school zone.
St. Lawrence Catholic School, located on North Himes Avenue, recorded the highest number of speeding infractions during the two-day review in April.
Cameras counted 17,044 total vehicles and flagged 6,043 speeding violations, which averages out to 3,021 violations each day. The data tracked speeding during morning arrival, afternoon dismissal and the standard school hours.
The school zone speed limit drops to 15 mph during active enforcement hours, where the system logged drivers moving at 26 mph and faster. During regular hours when the speed limit is 30 mph, the study flagged vehicles traveling 41 mph and up.
Other campuses with high violation numbers included T.R. Robinson High School, Lanier Elementary School, Young Middle Magnet School and Turner/Bartels K-8 School.
Privacy and program operations
What we don't know:
Officials have not yet confirmed the exact dates when the physical cameras will be installed at the 18 selected campuses.
While city staff noted that the program will feature a public education period before actual ticketing begins, the exact length of that warning window remains unannounced. Additionally, council members discussed a separate proposal to install larger school zone signs and flashing lights, but it is not yet known if or when those physical upgrades will be formally approved.
Camera operations and limits
What they're saying:
The automated systems will not capture drivers around the clock. During a February council discussion, Jim Reiser, the program coordinator for the Tampa Police Department, explained that the systems rely on different speed thresholds depending on whether school zone flashers are running.
"When the flashers are active, that means the slow speed zone is in effect," Reiser said. He noted that the cameras will not issue citations after the school day concludes, on weekends, during school holidays or on teacher work days. "Students have to be present on campus for those speed cameras to work," Reiser said. He added that the city plans to verify school bell times and flashing-light patterns before starting enforcement.
Council members brought up privacy concerns during their February meeting, focusing on whether these school cameras would link directly to broader law enforcement tracking networks.
Assistant City Attorney Megan Newcomb told council members that the systems are strictly legally limited.
"These are for school zone safety purposes for documenting speeding in school zones," Newcomb said.
Councilman Luis Viera said he understood the community questions regarding privacy and immigration enforcement, noting, "This is something that’s solely going to go for protection of children and for public safety".
Traffic fine revenue allocation
By the numbers:
- 100: The cost in dollars for a single automated school zone speeding violation.
- 18: The total number of Tampa school zones slated to receive the automated speed detection cameras.
- 3,021: The daily average number of speeding violations captured outside St. Lawrence Catholic School.
- 26: The speed in mph where automated ticketing triggers when the 15 mph school flashers are active.
Next steps for council
What's next:
Thursday's vote by the council represented the first reading consideration, meaning the legislative process requires an additional vote before the system becomes fully finalized. There will be a public hearing on the ordinance in six weeks before it would become official.
Once completely enacted, a portion of the $100 fines will remain with the city to manage the camera program and fund public safety initiatives.
The remaining cash will be distributed to the state, the local school district and a fund dedicated to recruiting and keeping school crossing guards.
City rules dictate that the school district must spend its share on school security upgrades, student transportation or developing safer walking routes for children.
The Source: The information in this story comes from Tampa City Council agenda materials, meeting, the proposed ordinance, the city’s business impact estimate, RedSpeed’s April 2026 school zone speed study and a transcript of Tampa City Council’s Feb. 19 discussion about the school zone speed camera program.