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Youngstown police add cameras in school zones, will start fining speed offenders April 12

By Kelcey Norris Mahoning Matters
Watch Your Speed: Youngstown police add more school zones to speed enforcement list, speed cameras utilized
Watch Your Speed: Youngstown police add more school zones to speed enforcement list, speed cameras utilized Youngstown Police Department

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A new program from the Youngstown Police Department has helped discourage drivers from going too fast in school zones.

Now, they want to expand further.

The police implemented new enforcement policies that used high-tech equipment as part of their School Zone Traffic Safety Program just last month.

Youngstown police say action needed to slow down speeders

Youngstown police officers implemented speed cameras to take photos of license plates when drivers are going too fast in school zones.

Reckless driving can potentially endanger students who walk on school campuses.

Since February 23, drivers’ speeds near the schools have been monitored using cameras during school hours, starting one hour before school begins and until 6 p.m.

During this time, police officers said Youngstown drivers have been reducing their speeds and following posted speed signs “between 81-93%” of the time, showing an improvement.

“We’re committed to safeguarding our kids with this innovative initiative. Please drive safely in our school zones and in our community,” the department wrote.

Where are the speed cameras? Youngstown police will use school speed-photo enforced signs

Restricted 20 mile per hour times are posted on a sign before entering every school zone.

The School Zone Traffic Safety Program applies to all schools in the Youngstown city limit.

These schools include:

  • Volney Rogers Middle School on South Schenley Avenue, Rayen Early College Middle School on Williamson Avenue, Saint Christine’s School on South Schenley Avenue, Kirkmere Elementary School on Kirk Road, Chaney High School on South Hazelwood Avenue, Valley Christian on Southern Boulevard, East High School on East High Avenue, Woodrow Wilson High School on East Indianola Avenue, Stambaugh Charter Academy on Hazelwood Avenue, and Woodrow Wilson Alternative School on Gibson Street.

Now Youngstown police want to broaden the program to include enforcing safe driving at four more schools:

  • Horizon Science Academy on Southern Boulevard, Chaney Middle and High Schools on both Overlook Drive and South Schenley Avenue and Summit Academy on Oakwood Avenue.

If you are caught on camera driving too fast in a school zone in Youngstown, there’s a 30-day period where you’ll only receive a warning in the mail that carries no fine. This began March 13 and is still in effect.

After April 12, the 30-day grace period ends and drivers caught speeding in the four new school zones will receive a violation in the mail.

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