The Coconut Creek Police Department on Thursday said it hopes to launch its new school speed zone camera program at the start of the next school year in August 2025.
According to city Police Chief Frederick Hofer, the program aims to reduce speeding in school zones and protect students during school hours.
A police department spokesman said the permitting process for the camera system is underway, and officials are eyeing a tentative launch date in August.
“We believe that the implementation of the school Speed Zone System will be a great tool to slow down drivers and bring awareness to our school zones,” Hofer said in a video message to Coconut Creek residents on Thursday. “The safety of our students is a top priority, and this system will help us achieve that goal.”
The speed cameras, not yet activated, have been installed outside seven schools in Coconut Creek: Lyons Creek Middle School, Coconut Creek High School, Tradewinds Elementary School, Monarch High School, Dave Thomas Education Center, Atlantic Technical College, and Winston Park Elementary School.
The locations were strategically selected to maximize student safety and improve driver compliance with speed limits, Hofer said.
Here’s how the camera system works, according to the chief:
Using radar or laser speed detection equipment, the cameras will monitor vehicles traveling through school zones. When a vehicle exceeds the speed limit by more than 10 mph, the system captures photos and video of the violation.
The speed detection cameras will operate 30 minutes before school starts, throughout the school day, and 30 minutes after dismissal. They will not be active on weekends, holidays, or outside of school hours.
Drivers exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 10 mph will receive a $100 civil citation mailed to the registered vehicle owner. The violations won’t add points to driver’s licenses or affect insurance rates. Citations can be paid online, by phone, or by mail.
If the registered owner wasn’t driving at the time of the violation, they can submit an affidavit identifying the actual driver. Failure to respond to the citation will result in it being converted to a uniform traffic citation and transferred to county court.
Clear signage will be posted before each school zone, alerting drivers they are entering a photo-enforced area, Hofer said.
He emphasized that the system will provide consistent enforcement regardless of police staffing levels, allowing officers to focus on other community priorities while maintaining school zone safety.
“A significant benefit of having these cameras in school zones is that enforcement will happen every day that school is in session. It does not depend on our staffing levels,” said Hofer. “The enforcement is fair, consistent, and encourages drivers to adjust their behavior.”
Revenue from citations will support the school crossing guard program and other public safety initiatives as regulated by Florida law, according to the chief.
Hofer urged drivers to remain vigilant in school zones, noting that lower speeds and increased pedestrian activity require full attention.
“Drivers should put their phones down, obey the speed limit, and always be on the lookout for children and other pedestrians,” he said. “Your attentiveness could save a life. Let’s all do our part.”
The Coconut Creek City Commission approved the school speed zone camera program in July 2024. At the time, Hofer said the highest number of speed violations in the city were happening in front of Lyons Creek Middle School.
The commission at the time also agreed to contract with RedSpeed to provide the camera service.
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