Columbus Police Launch School Zone Safety Program with RedSpeed and Muscogee County Schools

The Columbus Police Department has announced a new collaboration with RedSpeed and the Muscogee County School District to implement a comprehensive School Zone Safety Program. This initiative aims to address speeding in school zones amid Georgia’s ranking as 36th in the country for school zone safety.

The program, financed entirely by violator funds as stipulated in House Bill 978, will not impose any financial burden on taxpayers. RedSpeed will cover all expenses related to equipment, maintenance, permitting, and operational infrastructure, ensuring the program’s long-term viability.

Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis stated, “Implementing automated speed enforcement cameras in school zones is a powerful measure to curb speeding and enhance safety for our children.” He emphasized the program’s commitment to protecting community members.

Muscogee County School District Superintendent Dr. David Lewis added, “Recently completed speed study data make it apparent that steps are necessary to make school zones safer for students and staff.” The program will begin with twenty schools within the district, with plans to expand as needed.

The program will feature state-of-the-art Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology and high-definition video cameras. These tools will improve monitoring capabilities and alert law enforcement to vehicles linked with Temporary Protection Orders, Amber Alerts, and other concerns. Video footage can be viewed live and archived.

Speed cameras will operate only on school days, from one hour before school starts to one hour after dismissal, and will target school zones with documented safety needs. Citations will be issued only for speeds exceeding the limit by 11 mph or more.

Muscogee County School District Police Chief Greg Arp remarked, “The installation of speed enforcement cameras by the Columbus Police Department is a significant step towards creating a safer environment in our school zones.”

To educate the public and encourage compliance, warning signs will be placed at each school zone, with a 30-day warning period starting August 8, 2024. Full enforcement will begin September 9, 2024, with fines of $75 for first violations and $125 for subsequent ones. There will be no impact on driving records or insurance premiums for these fines, though nonpayment may lead to additional consequences.

The first phase will cover 20 school zones, with plans to expand throughout the school year. The Columbus Police Department will oversee enforcement at public schools, while the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office will manage cameras at private schools. The cameras will also operate during summer sessions at schools with summer programs.