MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Wednesday is the last day school speed zone enforcement cameras will be used in Manatee County.

County commissioners voted to end the enforcement of the cameras.

“I want to stop this camera program altogether. The public doesn’t want it, the sheriff doesn’t think it’s valuable and the school board doesn’t see it as any more valuable than having crossing guards in speed zones,” Dr. Bob McCann who represents District 5 said.

The safety program launched at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Drivers going more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit received $100 fines each time.

In February, the commissioner voted to cut down the operational hours of the cameras to 30 minutes before and after school.

The decision came after complaints from hundreds of community members.

Since the start of the program county staff said, a total of 55,243 Notices of Violation have been issued and 22,292 drivers have paid the $100 fine.

“This is nothing but a money grab, It doesn’t serve its intended purpose,” McCann said.

Some commission members feel the citation numbers are proof of a safety issue in the county’s school zones. District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique explains, “We have the data now, let’s not just kill this entirely, let’s act on it and make our streets safer.”

Siddique and Commissioner Mike Rahn voted against ending the program. However, following a 5-2 vote the decision was made to discontinue the program, effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, March 6.