9 new speed cameras in Central Florida for the school year

There will be nine new speed enforcement cameras in operation in Central Florida at the start of the school year. Seven of them are in Leesburg and two new ones were installed in the city of Eustis. The two new ones in Eustis are: Eustis High SchoolEustis High School – Curtright CampusThe seven new ones in Leesburg are: Leesburg Elementary SchoolOak Park Middle SchoolCarver Middle SchoolBeverly Shores Elementary SchoolLeesburg High SchoolSt. Paul's Catholic SchoolLake MontessoriThe Eustis Police Department, led by Police Chief Craig Capri, was the first city in Florida to install speed enforcement cameras in school zones. The first camera was installed in front of Eustis Elementary in February after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law allowing it in the state. “Parents rely on us to keep them and their children safe, so we have a huge responsibility to make sure we do that, and this technology allows us to do that,” Capri said. There was a warning period, but when that was over, 1,300 tickets were issued in just five weeks. Each fine costs $100, so that's about $130,000 in revenue. Capri says that money is reinvested in traffic safety, such as hiring new school crossing guards. “People don't really listen or pay attention until you hit them in the wallet. You hit them in the wallet, in the wallet. $100 is a lot of money. And you get a few of those tickets, a few hundred dollars. Dollars, that's food you can put on the table for your family, that's stuff you can use for fuel and gas and, you know what I mean, other bills,” Capri said. There will be a 30-day grace period for the nine new speed cameras being installed in Eustis and Leesburg. After that, speeders will be fined $100 if the camera records them going 11 mph or more over the speed limit in school zones. Capri says they're also working to install speed cameras at Eustis Heights Elementary School, but there's a delay because they're working with the Florida Department of Transportation. The city of Leesburg is the second city in Central Florida to install speed cameras in school zones. “We're doing our best to protect your child; that's what it boils down to. “You can't speed in this area anyway,” says Jimmy Burry, the mayor of Leesburg. Other cities in Central Florida are currently exploring the possibility of installing speed cameras. “I've received dozens of calls from agencies across the state of Florida asking about our policy and our ordinance. Adopt it, apply it, and I hope it saves someone's life,” says Chief Capri. The city of Orlando is considering installing speed cameras in school zones. A spokesperson told us a traffic study will be conducted this school year and the ordinance will return to the commission in 2025.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

At the start of the school year, nine new speed enforcement cameras will be put into operation in Central Florida.

Seven of them are in Leesburg and two new ones were installed in the city of Eustis.

The two newcomers in Eustis are:

Eustis High School
Eustis High School – Curtright Campus

The seven newcomers in Leesburg are:

Leesburg Elementary School
Oak Park Middle School
Carver Middle School
Beverly Shores Elementary School
Leesburg High School
St. Paul's Catholic School
See Montessori

The Eustis Police Department, led by Police Chief Craig Capri, was the first city in Florida to install speed cameras in school zones.

The department activated the first camera in February outside Eustis Elementary School after Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law allowing them to be used in the state.

“Parents rely on us to keep them and their children safe, so we have a huge responsibility to ensure we fulfill that mission, and this technology enables us to do that,” Capri said.

There was a warning period, but after that expired, 1,300 summonses were issued within just five weeks.

Each fine costs $100, which equates to about $130,000 in revenue.

Capri says this money will be reinvested in road safety, for example in hiring new school crossing guards.

“People don't really listen or pay attention until you hit them in the wallet. You hit them in the wallet. $100 is a lot of money. And if you get a couple of those tickets, a couple hundred dollars, that's stuff you can put food on the table for your family, that's stuff you can spend on fuel and gas and, you know what I mean, other bills,” Capri said.

There is a 30-day transition period for the nine new speed cameras being installed in Eustis and Leesburg.

After that, speeders face a $100 fine if the camera records them driving 11 miles per hour or more in school zones.

Capri says they are also working on installing speed cameras at Eustis Heights Elementary School, but there is a delay because they are working with the Florida Department of Transportation.

The City of Leesburg is the second city in Central Florida to install speed cameras in school zones.

“We're doing our best to keep your child safe. That's the bottom line. Speeding isn't allowed in this area anyway,” said Leesburg Mayor Jimmy Burry.

Other cities in Central Florida are exploring the idea of installing speed cameras.

“I've received a dozen calls from agencies across the state of Florida asking about our policy and our ordinance. Take it, apply it, and I hope it saves someone's life,” said Police Chief Capri.

The city of Orlando is considering installing speed cameras in school zones.

A spokesperson told us that a traffic study will be carried out this school year and the regulation will be returned to the Commission in 2025.