By Kenneth Books
School zone speed demons will soon have to slow down or suffer a dent in their wallets.
Cameras are being installed by Niceville schools that will identify drivers who rush through school zones during the hours of speeds reduced for the safety of the students, thanks to a program endorsed by the Niceville Police Department and realized through the assistance of Altumint, the company that is providing the equipment.
The first cameras have been installed by C.W. Ruckel Middle School on the 200 block of Partin Drive North and the 90 block of Palm Boulevard North and will go into action immediately. It will separate speeders from safe drivers through a cutting-edge, AI-supported camera system designed for tracking vehicles with utmost precision, according to Kristen Rose, vice president of marketing for Altumint. The system will track drivers and record the license numbers of those speeding through school zones.
“This is part of our ongoing commitment for a safe environment,” said Niceville Police Chief Mark Hayes. “It’s designed to promote safer driving behavior.”
For the first 60 days, warnings will be issued to speeders, according to Niceville City Manager David Deitch. After that time, they will be subject to $100 fines for rushing through school zones during low-speed hours. Those found to be exceeding the speed limit by 10 miles per hour or more will receive citations in the mail. Recipients will have the option to contest the violation through the Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts. The citations will allow for liability if it’s found that the driver was not the owner of the vehicle.
The program was authorized by Florida HB 657 in 2023, permitting municipalities to enforce speed limits in school zones through a speed detection system.
The cameras will operate for 30 minutes before and after school opening, according to Hayse.
The chief noted that 7,365 vehicles passed through the Ruckel school zone during a single school day. Of those, 1,034 exceeded the speed limit and 908 violations occurred while the flashing school zone lights were active. During key school hours, 126 speeding violations were recorded, putting children walking to and from school at risk, he said.
The collection data will be verified by Altumint, Hayse said. Then, the Traffic Infraction Enforcement Officer of the Niceville Police Department will approve or deny the citations.
“I encourage everyone in the community, whether or not they’ve received a citation, to reach out to the police department with any questions about the process for issuing or adhering to a school zone speed camera citation,” he said.
Taxpayers won’t be liable for the cost of the cameras or programs, as Altumint will pick up the tab for installation and maintenance, which will receive a portion of the fines. Among the startup costs are training, construction of the sites and creation of a virtual platform.
“This program has been in the works for about a year,” Hayse said, “and went into operation Feb. 5.”
“More than 10 states have installed equipment such as this,” according to Rose. “Florida currently has 11 programs working or in the implementation phase,” she said. “Fort Walton Beach is implementing a similar program with a different company,” she said.
“We’re very proud to be part of the Niceville startup,” Rose said, noting the city is the first on the Panhandle to adopt the technology. “I’m the mother of two school-age children, so this is close to my heart.”
Deitch echoed her sentiment. “It was my responsibility to go out and find the vendor,” he said. “This is all about the safety of our children.”
