As the new school year approaches, the Tampa Police Department (TPD) is taking steps to ensure student safety. TPD has announced a Back-to-School Town Hall scheduled for Tuesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. The event will be held at Ragan Park, located at 1200 E Lake Ave. Officers and safety experts will provide updates on various aspects of student safety, including school zone enforcement and traffic safety, as well as online threats and social media trends.
A major highlight of the town hall will be the introduction of speed enforcement cameras in school zones throughout Tampa. This initiative aims to reduce speeding and improve driver behavior to prevent potential accidents. “This is about protecting kids, plain and simple,” stated Chief Lee Bercaw. “When drivers ignore speed limits in school zones, they put lives at risk.”
The School Speed Zone Camera program was developed following a citywide School Transportation Study initiated in 2022. After Florida passed legislation in 2023 allowing such cameras, Tampa City Council passed an ordinance in January 2024 that included recommendations for implementing the program at 13 schools.
Starting August 11, there will be an education period where cameras will capture warning notices around ten schools: Alexander Elementary, B.T. Washington Elementary, Ferrell Girls Preparatory Academy, Orange Grove Middle Magnet, Potter Elementary, Shaw Elementary, Sulphur Springs Elementary, Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary, Young Middle Magnet, and Lomax Elementary.
Beginning September 10, drivers exceeding speed limits by more than ten miles per hour during active school zone hours will receive violation notices reviewed by a Tampa Police officer.
For more information about this program visit tampa.gov/school-zone-safety.
