SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Spokane Valley is considering installing speed cameras in school zones as a way to reduce speeding violations and generate revenue for traffic safety improvements.
The proposal comes after a January study revealed significant speeding problems at local schools. Within three days, the study documented over 500 school zone violations at Bowdish Middle School and 855 violations at Centennial Middle School, where the speed limit is 20 mph.
“Other cities that have implemented these programs show between a 50 and 70% reduction in speeding in those school zones,” said Robert Blegen, Spokane Valley’s Public Works Director.
Residents living near the schools say they regularly witness drivers ignoring speed limits in areas where children are present.
“I’ve definitely seen it. I’ve heard it a lot. We sit out on our back deck and we hear [speeding cars] just going right up the street,” said Ethan Resleff, who lives near Bowdish Middle School.
Steve Golman, another neighbor of Bowdish Middle School, supports the camera initiative.
“I worry a lot about any accidents happening to kids,” Golman said. “And if they can catch people speeding, that is totally fine by me.”
The city estimates that issuing tickets for speeding violations at both Bowdish and Centennial Middle Schools could generate approximately $98,000 in revenue during the first year.
This money would help pay for the camera systems and fund additional traffic calming measures throughout the community.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism from some residents who view the cameras as excessive surveillance. Several people expressed concerns about having their license plates photographed by city equipment.
Blegen addressed privacy concerns by explaining that the system would function similarly to parking enforcement.
“It’s just like a parking ticket where you get a fee for the violation, and the information cannot be used or given to anybody else for any other purposes,” he said.
The Spokane Valley City Council has not yet voted on the speed camera proposal. If approved, city officials estimate it would take approximately six months to install and activate the camera systems.
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