by James Coulter
Do you slow down in school zones? Many people don’t. That’s why the City of Lake Wales is considering implementing red light cameras and other forms of surveillance to monitor speed limits near schools.
At their regular meeting on Wed., Nov. 30, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed the consent agenda for their next regular meeting.
One agenda item involved the authorization of traffic infraction detectors, red light cameras, and speed limit detection systems in school zones within the city limits.
“The City Commission is aware that violations of traffic laws, including the running of red lights and speeding within school zones within the City limits create a hazard to the citizens of and visitors to the City of Lake Wales,” wrote Chris Velasquez, Chief of Police, in a memo.
As such, the City is considering the “implementation and administration of traffic citations by municipalities for traffic infractions relating to traffic control devices such as red-light cameras and school zone speed limit detection systems” through The Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Program.
Ed Palmer, Patrol Commander Lieutenant, offered a presentation about the proposed system. He mentioned that the overall goal was to reduce traffic violations, improve safety for drivers and pedestrians, especially children, and lower accident rates.
Lt. Palmer considers the proposal quite personal. Nearly two years ago, he was involved in an accident on Highway 60, when another vehicle stuck the side of his. The accident left him with a C1 atlas spinal injury.
“I was fortunate enough not to have torn any ligaments or nerve endings; otherwise, I would be a quadriplegic,” Lt. Palmer said.
A school zone study from Sept. 2023 revealed that Lake Wales High School experienced 2,036 speed limit violations, while Hillcrest Elementary experienced 329 and McLaughlin Middle School experienced 271.
According to another traffic study, 284 intersection crashes occurred in Lake Wales in 2022, 305 in 2023, and 190 in 2024. Another study showed that eight fatalities occurred in 2022, seven occurred in 2023, and one occurred in 2024.
However, as Lt. Palmer explained, even one crash is one too many.
If implemented, school zone speed limit violators would be issued a $100 citation if the system detects them speeding in a school zone and an officer determines it was a legitimate violation. They would need to pay within 60 days. Overall, the new system would be 100 percent violator-funded with zero upfront cost to the city. A public awareness campaign would likewise be implemented to inform residents about the new system and encourage safe driving.
Commissioner Carol Gillespie expressed concern about the financial burden being placed upon city residents. She also expressed skepticism about whether the system would reduce speed violations or rather increase traffic citations.
“A lot of violators are going to be in the area,” she said. “What this will be doing is increasing the financial burden on those people to fund this high-tech police enforcement you are going to install here.”
“No disrespect, but what about the life it saves?” Lt. Palmer replied. “How do we equate a death? There is no way to do that.”
City Manager James Slaton likewise commented: “If someone runs a red light, and they keep doing it, they deserve to get a ticket.”
Commissioner Keith Thompson expressed similar concern that the proposed system would do less to reduce traffic violations and more to increase citations, and thus increase the financial burden on citizens.
On the other hand, having driven through school zones, he has seen firsthand many violations take place, with some roads feeling more like “drag ways rather than streets.”
“When you are 100 percent funded by violations, there is a motivation to find violations,” he said. “We do not want to give our citizens more tickets, but, at the same time, do not speed through school zones.”
The agenda item will be considered along with the rest of the consent agenda at the next city regular commission meeting, scheduled for Tues., Nov. 5 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.
