End of the Line for Speed Cameras in Manatee County

Just days after our bombshell investigation revealed serious issues with the school zone speed cameras, the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners voted to shut down the program entirely. Our investigation discovered that at five North County schools with speed cameras, five out of the eight cameras were installed too close to the roadway, and four signs were either improperly placed or the wrong size, violating Florida Department of Transportation regulations.

Initially, Commissioner Robert McCann proposed refunding citations issued by the speed cameras but later amended his motion to call for the program’s termination. He criticized the program’s implementation, stating it failed to serve the public interest and did not effectively improve child safety. Commissioner Jason Bearden seconded the motion, agreeing with McCann and noting that the Manatee County Sheriff opposed the program, suggesting the Sheriff’s Department could more effectively enforce speed limits in school zones.

Commissioner Tal Siddique expressed support for the program, proposing instead that it be modified. Commissioner Mike Rahn, sharing a personal experience of being ticketed twice by the cameras, admitted he paid the fines but still backed the program. After further discussion, the motion passed 5-2, with Commissioners Siddique and Rahn voting against it.

Tickets issued on or before March 5th will remain valid and must be paid. The speed cameras will be deactivated at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, March 6th. County staff will begin drafting an ordinance to repeal the one that authorized the speed cameras as soon as possible. Future discussions will also address the possibility of issuing refunds to individuals who received citations.

Please be aware that school zone speed cameras remain active in both the City of Holmes Beach and the City of Bradenton, and those cameras are still issuing speed citations.

You can watch the public hearing below or click here. Both options will take you directly to the discussion starting at 4:36:26.

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