by James Coulter
Slow down! You’re in a school zone. And soon there will be red light cameras and speed limit detection systems to give you a ticket if you break the rules of the road.
At their regular meeting on Tues. Nov. 19, Lake Wales city commissioner voted unanimously to approve the second reading of an ordinance to authorize the use of red light cameras and other traffic infraction detectors in school zones.
Lieutenant Ed Palmer, Patrol Commander for the Lake Wales Police Department, has explained in previous meetings and workshops how the city has experienced an increase in traffic fatalities and violations, especially within school zones.
As such, the city intends to set up red light cameras, traffic infraction detectors, and speed limit detection systems in school zones to deter traffic violations.
If red light cameras are implemented, these cameras would monitor school zones for potential traffic violations. When a violation is detected, a vendor will have 30 days to review it. If approved, a citation will be sent to the violator, who will have 60 days to either pay the fine or fight it.
During public comments, Danny Krueger, a resident and former city commissioner, spoke out against the proposed cameras, claiming they served as a potential violation of civil liberties.
Krueger claimed that such systems would only increase government surveillance and potentially violate a citizen’s right to privacy. He claimed having an officer on duty in school zones would be more effective and less invasive.
Commissioner Carol Gillespie acknowledged that proposal like this had their pros and cons, yet she insisted that the pros outweighed the potential cons.
“Your own private right to drive as fast as you want gives way to the safety of children who want to cross the street,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson claimed that a similar controversy surrounded officers hiding behind billboards to chase after speeding vehicles. However, he insisted that the proposed systems were “fair” and in compliance with the courts and system.
