The City of Niceville plans to install speed cameras in school zones to enhance student safety, City Manager David Deitch told the Okaloosa County School Board during a workshop on Monday, August 26, 2024.

• Deitch said a speed study conducted between August 28 and August 31, 2023, found an average of 5,824 drivers per day exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph or more in Niceville school zones during active hours.

“As a result of that, the city council and I were very concerned about the safety and security of our students as they travel to and from school,” Deitch said. He emphasized that while the city is responsible for safety on the roads, the school district ensures safety on school property.

The Niceville City Council approved an ordinance on January 9, 2024, authorizing the cameras, as required by Florida Statute. On February 15, 2024, the city entered a contract with Altumint for the installation and operation of school zone speed detection systems near Niceville High School, Ruckel Middle School, and Edge Elementary.

One camera has already been installed on Palm Boulevard behind Ruckel Middle School, although not yet operational. Another is planned for Partin Drive near Ruckel, pending Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) approval.

• Deitch said the city is also working with FDOT to explore adding new school zones with cameras on Highway 85 near Edge Elementary and Highway 20 by Niceville High School. FDOT will conduct studies this month to determine if those zones are warranted.

“They are going to do a study both on [Highway] 85 and on Highway 20 to determine whether or not a school zone is warranted in those two locations,” Deitch explained. “That study will happen this month.”

Once operational, the cameras will have a 60-day public awareness campaign before fines are issued, exceeding the state-mandated 30-day notice period. They will only be active on school days during specific times: 30 minutes before and after the start of breakfast programs and regular school sessions, during the entire regular school session, and 30 minutes before and after the end of the school day.

Under state law, $12 from each $100 citation will go to the school district for safety purposes, student transportation, or to improve student walking conditions. An additional $5 will be retained for school crossing guard recruitment and retention.

• “I genuinely hope that this program generates $0,” Deitch said. “Because what that means is people have slowed down in our school zones and protected our children.”

According to Niceville documents, the entire cost of installation, maintenance, and operation of the system is borne by Altumint, with no cost to the city, school district, or Niceville residents.

School Board Member Linda Evanchyk expressed concerns about the delayed notification of the program to the school district. “Why did you take so many months to contact the school district since this does affect us?” Evanchyk asked, noting that the ordinance was passed in January but the board was only now being informed in late August.

• Deitch explained the delay was intentional to ensure clarity that this was a City of Niceville program, separate from school board decisions. However, he acknowledged the point about earlier communication.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers addressed the communication issue, stating that once informed, district officials had a productive conversation with Deitch. “We want to continue with that strong partnership. Sometimes, in the spirit of communication, we get back together and re-establish those expectations,” Chambers said.

Chambers also clarified that school resource officers are not primarily responsible for monitoring speed zones, as their main duty is to ensure overall school safety.

Deitch assured the board that there would be clear signage indicating the presence of cameras and speed enforcement in the school zones. He also mentioned that other municipalities in Okaloosa County are exploring similar programs.

• The initiative follows the passage of CS/CS/HB 657 by the Florida Legislature on April 28, 2023, which authorized municipalities to install speed detection systems in school zones deemed to have heightened safety risks.