Nassau County Executive Laura Curran is reaching out to residents to get their input on school speed-zone cameras.
The county had implemented the controversial cameras almost exactly four years ago. Similar to red-light cameras, they recorded cars that were going faster than 20 mph in a school zone, and violators received a ticket in the mail.
They were only in place for about three months in 2014 before the cameras were pulled, but in that short amount of time, they brought in some $24 million in revenue for the county. Skeptics wondered how that money was spent, and critics blasted the program as a cash grab.
The issue is under discussion again because the state must give municipalities permission to have the camera programs in place. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has just signed an order allowing New York City to renew its school speed-zone camera program.
“We’ve gotten some inquiries from school districts who do see a value in the school speed camera program,” says Curran. “So I’m asking parents, teachers, school district officials if this is something you see value in.”
Residents who spoke with News 12 about the cameras had mixed opinions, with some in support of the cameras and others adamantly opposed to them.
Curran says if there is support, she could ask the state to allow individual school districts to bring the cameras back.
Republicans who hold the majority in the Nassau County Legislature say they oppose the return of the camera program.