Neptune Beach will get speed ticket cameras in school zones

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — Catching drivers going too fast by schools in Neptune Beach could go robotic soon.

The Neptune Beach City Council passed an ordinance Monday allowing for automatic speed monitoring to be installed in school zones throughout the city.

This new ordinance would allow for technology to automatically issue tickets if drivers are going more than 10 miles an hour over the school zone limit any time from an hour before school starts to an hour after that final bell.

“We have a tremendous problem with people cutting through right there,” said David Wicker, a Neptune Beach resident who was at the city council meeting. “It is a problem, but I just think most people don’t know when they’re speeding right there.”

Wicker walks his dog past Beaches Chapel School on Florida Boulevard every day and he’s all for the city making more of an effort to catch drivers’ attention.

“Personally, I think if you put a flashing yellow light and make it a more obvious school zone, I think people would slow down a lot,” said Wicker.

However, he’s not sure about the plan for an automated ticketing system the city council voted unanimously to support.

“That’s going to be really surprising to our neighbors,” said Wicker. “I don’t think most of us know that’s going on.”

The Florida legislature passed a law last year allowing municipalities to use speed monitors to track speeding in school zones and issue automatic tickets.

Neptune Beach Police Chief Michael Key Jr. worked with a vendor to test how many cars would be in violation at two of Neptune Beach’s school zones on Florida Boulevard.

On one random school day, 200 cars went more than 10 mph over the speed limit in front of Neptune Beach Elementary and 182 in front of Beaches Chapel School.

“We have enough problems in our society of protecting our children at school,” said Key. “I’m just trying to get them there safe, so then we can focus on protecting them while they’re at school.”

The speed monitors would send drivers a $100 ticket in the mail for going 10 mph over the limit, which is 25 throughout the day and 15 during arrival and release times.

The tickets would not put any points on a license or have any criminal implications, and the fine would not increase for repeat offenses.

“No points against your insurance,” said Key. “Cannot be used against you to rake up your insurance rates.”

The cameras would only be on during school hours, not weekends or holidays.

The ordinance requires flashing lights and signage to let drivers know about the zone and the automated ticketing.

“Just have a bad feeling about putting up cameras to catch speeders,” said one resident.

Three people spoke up against the idea before the city council made its decision, but ultimately, the councilors sided with the police chief.

“I’ve tried to see it from every reach angle, and I can’t get off that I feel like it’s the right thing to do right now,” said City Councilor Kauren Key.

The vote was just to allow for speed monitoring devices to be installed in the city.

The city council will still need to pick a vendor and negotiate how the proceeds are split, which will require another vote.