As Tampa’s kids gear up for the new school year, the Tampa Police Department is stepping in to ramp up student safety measures. They invite the community to a Back-to-School Town Hall set for next Tuesday at 6 p.m., hosted at Ragan Park, 1200 E Lake Ave. The event will cover a range of safety issues, from school zone enforcement to online threats, as reported on the department’s website.
Of particular note is the announcement of a new speed enforcement camera program that TPD is unveiling. According to Chief Lee Bercaw, “This is about protecting kids, plain and simple.” Bercaw, speaking to community members, will further outline how these cameras, set to activate in various school zones, are the latest in a series of measures designed to safeguard students’ journeys to and from school. The education period for this system will begin on August 11, starting with warning notices before the issuance of actual violations.
The decision to implement this technology followed the passing of Florida legislation in 2023 that permitted the use of speed cameras in school zones. As detailed by the Tampa Police Department, a thorough citywide School Transportation Study led to the identification of schools most in need of traffic safety enhancements, eventually resulting in the City Council ordinance adopted in January 2024…