In a move to make St. Cloud school zones safer, the St. Cloud City Council unanimously voted last week to approve the installation of speed detection systems in school zones.
City officially say the speed detection systems are intended to, “Heighten public awareness of school zone safety regulations, mitigate speeding and ultimately enhance safety.”
Police Chief Doug Goerke presented the Council with results of a traffic study that was conducted Jan. 30 through Feb. 1, during the week, adjacent to the schools on Michigan Avenue, and Canoe Creek K-8, St. Cloud, Lakeview and Neptune Elementary.
During those three school days, 3,701 speeding violations were captured during school zone hours of nearly 60,000 vehicles while the flashing lights were on. Outside of school hours, 1,125 violations were found, for a total of 8% of drivers (1 in about 12) in violation, with a 47% violation rate for traffic with one of the cameras monitored. Goerke noted that St. Cloud Elementary School on Budinger Road had 1,262 potential violations during school zone hours when the flashing beacons were on.
“I pose to you that this relevant data shows and supports that the speeds in the school zone presents a heightened safety threat for our students,” Goerke said.
“The data that you showed us is absolutely unbelievable, and I think each and every one of us needs to slow down,” said Council Member Shawn Fletcher. “This solution is almost guaranteed to save a life.”
Councilman Ken Gilbert said school zone safety was a priority of his from the day he took office in 2022.
“Price aside, this will create revenue for the crossing guards, and it will create safety,” he said.
“Some of those numbers were staggering to see,” Council Member Kolby Urban agreed. “The safety of the students and the crossing guards is a top priority.”
The speed detection devices, similar to red light cameras, will capture pictures or videos of the license plates of vehicles moving 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit. Violators will be fined $100 – each time, as there’s no graduated fines for repeat offenders. Of that money, $60 will go to the City, $12 will go to the Osceola County School District, and $5 will go to fund a school crossing guard recruitment and retention program. The violations would not access points to a driver’s license, and could not be used to set car insurance rates.
“I’m hoping people will see (the flashing signs the cameras are in use), and I’d be content not getting any money,” Goerke said. “I’m hoping people see the signs that detection systems are in use and they just slow down. This is a game changer for us.”
Mayor Nathan Blackwell said those who complain about traffic control cameras are those breaking the law.
“It is one of our great responsibilities to do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our citizens, especially our young children,” he said. “So I think this is something we absolutely have to approve. Hopefully it will slow people down, and I believe it will save lives.”
The state law providing for speed detection cameras in school zones was passed in July 2023. Under the law, the City is required to post signage warning drivers that speed detection systems are in use. The law also requires a 30-day public awareness campaign prior to enforcement.
No start date has been determined for the use of the cameras.
