🚨 Palm Bay Halts School Zone Speed Camera Program Amid Accuracy Issues
City suspends controversial camera enforcement program for second time this school year due to incorrect tickets. 📅
Palm Bay, FL - The Palm Bay Police Department has once again suspended its school zone speed enforcement camera program. Effective Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the program is paused for the remainder of the current school year. This marks the second temporary suspension and follows continued community complaints about incorrect violations issued by the cameras.
Persistent Problems Lead to Suspension 🛑
Acknowledging persistent issues and concerns that 'do not meet the standards we expect,' Palm Bay police suspended the program. Complaints from residents continued even after the program was reactivated in late March.
Specific issues reported by drivers included:
Receiving violations despite not speeding.
Tickets issued outside designated school zone hours.
Violations issued on days when schools were closed.
Some tickets incorrectly citing violations in Miami-Dade County.
The Police Department stated, "Until we can guarantee consistent performance, we have determined that it is in the best interest of our city and its citizens" to suspend the program. They plan to continue working with the camera vendor to resolve the problems and may consider reinstating the program after necessary improvements are made.
Mayor Rob Medina supported the concept's goal of safer driving but agreed the pause was appropriate "given the recent inconsistencies in the accuracy of information." He emphasized that initiatives protecting children must be implemented with the highest integrity and reliability.
Program Background and Implementation 🏛️
The school zone speed camera initiative in Palm Bay is part of a statewide effort authorized by Florida House Bill 657, signed into law in May 2023. This law allowed various jurisdictions across the state to adopt similar camera programs. Notably, Manatee County, which also adopted cameras under HB 657, later voted to discontinue their program effective March 6, 2025.
The City of Palm Bay contracted with RedSpeed Florida LLC for a five-year speed detection camera system, with options for one-year renewals. The contract was sourced through a City of Alpharetta, GA agreement. The program is linked to Palm Bay's Ordinance 2023-114.
The cameras are set to issue citations for vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 10 mph within school zones. They are active from 30 minutes before school starts until 30 minutes after school ends. There are 16 school zones equipped with these cameras in the city. Installation began gradually in November 2024, and cameras became active in early 2025. The program was expected to generate revenue for public safety initiatives.
Community and Council Debate 🗣️
The camera program has sparked contentious debate in city council meetings, public forums, and on social media. It raises questions about fairness, accuracy, financial impact, and transparency. Some residents and leaders question whether the cameras are primarily for safety or revenue generation.
Retired Deputy Chief Lance Fisher claimed that in meetings about the cameras, "safety was never mentioned one time," with the focus instead on "revenue and flock cameras." He recalled departmental enthusiasm for potential revenue. Fisher also alleged the city would receive "one free flock camera to expand our surveillance" for every speed camera installed.
Councilman Langevin requested repealing the ordinance, stating it promoted a "surveillance state." Another council member strongly opposed the cameras, arguing they contribute to a "surveillance state" and that visible law enforcement is more effective. Concerns exist that camera reliance could reduce police patrols. Resident Bill Batten worried the data could be easily hacked.
Debate among officials and residents has persisted for months. The City Council remains divided, with some pushing for termination and others advocating for adjustments. Deputy Chief Spears stated the Palm Bay Police Department’s Traffic Unit maintains full oversight of the program and violation issuance.
Reported Issues and Verification Process Challenges ⚠️
Since going live, the Palm Bay program has faced several issues, including questionable tickets, unclear signage, and inconsistent enforcement times. Numerous drivers reported receiving citations specifically outside of school hours.
Issues also included inconsistencies in speed limit enforcement and cases where recipients were not present at the alleged violation site. The Palm Bay Police Department acknowledged these concerns, stating that no new system is flawless out of the gate. Police confirmed there is a glitch in the system and are working with the camera vendor to fix it. This issue with incorrect tickets is the second setback with the program.
In response to complaints and reported glitches, the Palm Bay Police Department temporarily paused the program. They issued a public apology for the frustration and stress this has caused. Tickets issued before the pause were refunded or dismissed.
The Police Department audited the system with RedSpeed Florida LLC, pinpointing glitches that led to incorrect violations. They also verified every camera, flasher, and sign, syncing them with school schedules and state rules under HB 657. The department stated that until they can guarantee consistent performance, suspending the program is in the best interest of the city and its citizens.
Despite the stated process where trained Palm Bay PD officers review each potential violation before a citation is issued, questions remain about how incorrect tickets made their way to citizens. If officers have "full oversight" and the "sole, unilateral and exclusive decision" to issue a violation after reviewing the evidence, how did errors like violations outside school hours or in the wrong county get approved and sent out? This apparent contradiction is a key point of concern for the community.
Company Claims and Counterpoints ℹ️
RedSpeed, the camera provider, claims their system changes bad behavior, stating 93% of citation recipients do not re-violate. RedSpeed's VP, David De La Espriella, took responsibility for a recent issue, calling it unprecedented in their Florida and Georgia operations.
RedSpeed representative John Ryan spoke in favor, emphasizing protecting children. He claimed the Jonesboro, Georgia, program, referenced by Councilman Langevin as being removed due to incorrect citations, is still operating effectively, reducing speeding by 90%. This contradicts Councilman Langevin's claim that the Jonesboro system was quickly removed after many incorrect citations and refunds.
However, documented issues in other locations where RedSpeed operates present a more complex picture that challenges these claims. In Jonesboro, Georgia, for instance, a system glitch resulted in 1,244 erroneous citations, requiring refunds and dismissals – an incident that raises questions about reliability despite claims of police oversight. Furthermore, Manatee County, Florida, which also adopted cameras under HB 657, voted to discontinue their program effective March 6, 2025, following public complaints and reported operational issues like improper installations and signage violations. These instances provide crucial context for the concerns raised in Palm Bay.
The Path Forward 🛣️
City officials reiterate that the cameras' primary goal is enhancing student safety. They plan improvements through a full system audit and recalibrating enforcement parameters. Increased transparency in the citation review process is also a goal.
Disputed citations will be reviewed, and residents are encouraged to report suspected errors. Commander LaToya believes the cameras have made a difference and are modifying behavior, potentially saving a child's life.
The city plans to work with RedSpeed to gather definitive data on the program's impact. Palm Bay's contract allows termination after the first year with 30 days’ notice, but formal discussion of this clause has not occurred. Debate continues on the efficiency and ethics of automated enforcement.
To share your thoughts on the school zone camera program, you can contact Palm Bay city officials directly at (321) 952-3414 or via email:
Mayor Rob Medina: mayorrobmedina@palmbayfl.gov
Deputy Mayor Michael Jaffe: michael.jaffe@palmbayfl.gov
Councilman Chandler Langevin: chandler.langevin@palmbayfl.gov
Councilman Kenny Johnson: Kenny.johnson@palmbayfl.gov
Councilman Mike Hammer: Mike.hammerJr@palmbayfl.gov
City Manager Matthew Morton: citymanager@palmbayfl.gov
In summary, Palm Bay's school zone speed camera program is suspended again due to persistent accuracy issues and public complaints, fueling ongoing debate about its effectiveness, fairness, and purpose. The question of how incorrect citations were issued despite the police department's stated review process remains a key concern, echoed by experiences in other areas using similar systems. Residents are encouraged to contact their elected officials to voice their perspectives.
Curated by AI and fact-checked by The Palm Bayer.
How can the cameras increase student safety when they're on during the day when the students are in the building? Are we assuming that drivers that speed will also drive willy-nilly into the buildings? Because honestly, if it's not during drop off or pick up, then it's just a revenue game.