HSPD Chief Sheppard posts message about automated enforcement of school zones in the next school year

Staff report

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – High Springs Police Department Chief Antoine Sheppard posted a message to High Springs residents on Facebook today, providing information about photo speed enforcement in school zones that will be implemented in the next school year. The letter said, “An aggressive educational campaign is forthcoming.”

Sheppard explained that a bipartisan new law, HB 657, provides for automated enforcement of school zones when children are present. Last year, the High Springs City Commission discussed the cameras in four public meetings, and the City conducted a speed study, which “revealed excessive speeding violations in our school zone.” He said the cameras will not cost the City anything.

At the December 23 City Commission meeting , Sheppard said, “There’s still a police officer that is reviewing every transaction, and then there’s still an appeals process. Everything’s still there.” He said the system, which will go into effect for the next school year, issues citations only during school hours, and the City keeps 60% of the fines.

Sheppard’s letter lists the following benefits of the system:

• Up to a 90% reduction of speeding in school zones.
• A vital law enforcement tool for Amber Alerts, Sexual Predators, or other fugitives near the school zone.
• A proven success in other states, including the state of Georgia.
• Video transactions are officer-verified, and there is a judicial appeal process.
• Speeding violations must be excessive, exceeding the speed limit by eleven miles.
• A 30-day warning period and educational campaign must be conducted.
• Most of the funds are returned to the community and restricted to crossing-guard salaries and public safety improvements.

The $100 fine for violations breaks down as follows:

• $60 – Local municipality or county for public safety
• $20 – State General Fund
• $12 – Local school district security, improve safety of student working conditions
• $3 – FDLE Criminal Standards & Training Fund
• $5 – School Crossing Guard Recruitment and Retention

Sheppard concluded: “My primary responsibility is safety and security, and we must combat traffic issues in our growing community. The community I serve is not monolithic, and there will be community members who differ in my policing approach. Nevertheless, I am always willing to listen, discuss those differences, and explain how the program works individually or in a group setting.”

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