Although progress seems to be a long way off, there is agreement among city leaders about cameras at bus stops
The discussion about stopwatch cameras on school buses continued last week at a Rochester City School District board meeting.
While several suburban school districts installed camera systems on their buses last year, Beatriz LeBron, vice president of the RCSD board, said the process in Rochester, one of New York State’s five major school districts, is more complex and requires more steps, including approval from city council.
“We haven’t been given that opportunity yet, but we’re in a position where we have some alignment with the city council and other leaders,” LeBron said. “Our students travel throughout the city of Rochester, so this isn’t targeting a specific student or a specific neighborhood. This is for all of our buses.”
She also mentioned the need to bring the district’s interim superintendent, Demario Strickland, up to speed, as most of the progress in the program was made under the previous leadership.
“From my perspective, I just want to share that I think this should be done by now and I want it to happen this fall,” Councilwoman Bridget Monroe said at a meeting last week.
“My own child was hit while getting off a school bus,” she continued. “The arm was outstretched, the lights were flashing, everything. Sometimes people don’t care until they get the ticket. I think it’s imperative that we get this program done.”
Stop arm camera systems record the road while the arm is active and drivers are legally required to stop. The footage is reviewed and drivers who violate the system receive a fine of $250 to $300, depending on repeat offense.
Last year, cameras were installed on school buses in the Hilton, Webster, East Irondequoit, Greece and Monroe One BOCES districts and recorded over 3,500 violations.
“First, it’s about safety. But second, there’s the potential for these red light cameras to generate revenue for this district,” said LeBron, who also chairs the Finance and Resource Allocation Committee. “That’s an avenue we’ll consider.”
LeBron added that the end of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act means the district will have to search in ways it “has never done before.”
While other RCSD officials stated that the timeline for implementing the stop-arm cameras is fall 2025, a more detailed presentation and discussion of the topic was promised at the next Finance and Resource Allocation Committee meeting in October.
Jacob Schermerhorn is a contributing writer and data journalist for the Rochester Beacon. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who address our Comment policy including the use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters Page should be sent to (email protected).
