PORTSMOUTH, VA. (WAVY) –“I think they’re good. It slows the cars down and keeps the kids safe,” said Leonard Jones.
Jones is a crossing guard of 14 years. He makes sure students and buses cross High Street safely for I.C. Norcom High School.
He says the newly installed school speed zone cameras are working.
“I feel a little safer. You know, it’s always a danger because, you know, some people don’t observe the traffic rules,” said Jones.
The cameras are currently installed at seven Portsmouth schools.
It activates 30 minutes before school starts, and ends 30 minutes after school lets out.
On High St., the speed limit is 25 miles per hour during that time. The regular speed limit is 30 miles per hour.
“Before the monitors, somebody may have even clocked 50. [mph],” said Joyce Sears Ashe, a Portsmouth resident.
She’s comforted by the new enforcement. She also has a soft spot for kids, as a former teacher.
“It’s a blessing to have the traffic monitors because school limits should be limited, safe driving and everybody should feel safe,” said Sears Ashe.
Portsmouth police launched school speed zone cameras in Nov. 2023, with a one-month warning period. Jan. 2024 is when the city said citations began.
As of the first three weeks of the new year, 2,732 citations were issued.
This past December, 6,208 warnings were given out. In addition, in a one-week period in November, there were 5,067 violations.
Violators who receive citations must pay $100.
The city will get 60-70% of each paid citation. The remainder will pay the company that owns the cameras.
“I think it should put people on their guard more,” said Sears Ashe. “We should be aware because this for our safety, overall safety, everybody. Not just one person, everybody.”