East Point installs speed cameras in several school zones

EAST POINT, Ga. - You had better slow down in school zones when you drive through East Point. The city just installed speed cameras at several schools. Police say they will keep students safer.

Keyna Ashe says speed cameras outside her son’s school could get people to drive more responsibly. "It’s a good idea for the sake of the kids," said Ashe, whose son is in the seventh grade at Paul D. West Middle School on Headland Dr. "They have to learn to slow down. Because if they hit a child, then what?"

The city just installed speed cameras at three different schools: Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary, Woodland Middle, and Paul D. West Middle. "All three areas are very busy areas," said Sgt. J.L. Watkins of the East Point Police Department.

Watkins says scores of drivers zip by schools, paying little attention to how fast they are going. "We’re having reports of speeding through the zones. Anywhere between 75 to 100," Watkins said.

Children, at times, can dart into traffic. "You never know when the kids are going to run right out into the street. There’s a possibility they could run in front of a car," Watkins said.

The cameras went into service on Monday. Police tell FOX 5 they will only operate on school days, one hour before class, the duration of the school day and one hour after school lets out. "They’ll be given warnings and then after that 30-day mark, the fines will start at the point in time," Watkins said.

The cameras will flag your car if you drive 11 mph over the limit. Watkins says the cameras will improve the safety of children and the community.

"They can slow traffic down a lot." When asked if the program could save lives, Watkins responded "Yes sir, they can."

Watkins says the city will issue warnings from now through mid-January. After that, the violations will be $75 for the first offense, $125 for each violation after that. The penalties are civil, not criminal. They won’t add points to your license.