In some Leesburg school zones, cameras may catch speeding

Leesburg’s proposed school zone detection devices could “mirror” the deal Eustis made when they were the first in the state to implement their solutions.

The Leesburg City Commission is considering a proposed ordinance under Article VII, “Speed Enforcement in School Zones,” Chapter 21, “setting forth the purpose, intent, and definitions” for establishing a school zone speed enforcement program and authorizing the use of speed detection systems within the City.

In other words: speed cameras can be installed in school zones.

The proposed resolution will be discussed at a city commission meeting at 5:30 p.m. on July 22.

City commissioners decide how to implement the requirements and designate enforceable school zones, administrative procedures, severability (a provision that allows the remaining provisions of a statute or agreement to remain in effect even if one or more of its provisions is found to be unenforceable or illegal), and the effective date.

“This reflects the Eustis agreement?” Commissioner Mike Pederson asked during the ordinance’s first reading at the commission’s July 8 meeting.

“That is true,” replied City Attorney Grant Watson.

In Eustis, the first city in Florida to adopt a school zone camera program, the devices were installed in public elementary schools. The devices identify drivers who exceed the speed limit by 10 miles per hour by photographing their license plates.

Like Eustis, Leesburg’s speed cameras will operate only during school hours. If the ordinance passes, the devices are expected to be in place before the school year begins.

Drivers caught speeding by more than 10 mph will receive a warning for the first 30 days of using the device.

“There will be lots of signs in all directions,” assured Commissioner Alan Reisman.

Tickets start out as a civil ticket that costs $100 in Eustis. If the ticket is not paid within 30 days, it becomes a traffic violation that costs $164.

The devices are installed only in primary schools.

Leesburg Police Chief Joe Iozzi confirmed the initial $100 fines will be the same.

More: Demand for pedestrian safety and speed cameras ignite debate at lakes commission meeting

Altumint, the company contracted by Eustis to implement the law enforcement program, has been contracted for Leesburg, Iozzi confirmed. “While we are still working through the approval process and considering some logistics, our ultimate goal is to increase student safety in and around Leesburg schools,” Iozzi told the Daily Commercial. “This project will provide an additional layer of protection for all students, faculty, staff and visitors.”

Iozzi added that the city is “tentatively planning” to hold a media day on Aug. 8 where further details will be shared.

At the July 8 commission meeting, Pederson asked a common question about camera devices: What if the driver is not the owner of the vehicle? Will the owner be penalized?

“There is a process for the person who is the registered owner to take an oath so that they can send in and swear that they were not driving the car, that they lent it to someone else and sort of reported them to try to get out of it,” Watson explained. “But to underscore that, there is a process for the registered owner who is not driving the car to at least be able to challenge that.”

In February, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri explained to the Daily Commercial that school zone cameras are different from red-light cameras in how they are funded. Red-light cameras have been described as “cash cows” for local governments, he said.

Altumint’s speeding enforcement program is entirely funded by violators and comes at no cost to taxpayers, the company said in a press release.

“When I was in Daytona, we had red-light cameras and they were sold as a way to make money,” Capri said. But “we’re here to stop people speeding in school zones, to protect our kids, our staff and faculty, and to control speed.”