INVERNESS, Fla. — Citrus County commissioners discussed adding cameras to school zones to catch speeders.
The idea would follow a Florida law that allows cities and counties to use automated speed cameras in school zones.
Citrus County Sheriff David Vincent gave a presentation to commissioners.
"This topic is something we've kicked around for really since I first took office and actually started this prior to me taking office when I was the chief at the school district," he told commissioners on Tuesday.
Nine schools are concerned about camera enforcement. Those schools include: Forest Ridge Elementary, Central Ridge, Citrus Springs Middle, Citrus Springs Elementary, Homosassa Elementary, Hernando Elementary, Floral City Elementary, Rock Crusher Elementary, and Pope John Paul Catholic.
If the program is approved, drivers caught going more than 10mph over the posted school zone speed limit could face a $100 citation.
"This goal of this program is to create safer school zones. It’s not about collecting data and intelligence on people," said Sheriff Vincent.
As Tampa Bay 28 reported previously, the school zone camera programs have been suspended in Manatee County and the City of Palm Bay due to concerns that drivers were being unfairly cited.
Commissioners would have to approve an ordinance after a public hearing, then select a vendor. Commissioners would also have to start a public awareness campaign, install signage, and start a 30-day warning campaign before citations could be issued.
County commissioners did not vote on the program on Tuesday.
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