DEPARTMENT: Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: School Bus Arm Camera Program Update
SUMMARY:
During the June 2018 Public Safety Committee meeting, the Department provided an update on the status of the school bus camera program. In response to concerns expressed by the Committee related to the failure of participating school districts to earn revenue since the inception of the program and complaints regarding the existing citation and appeals process, the SAPD met with school district officials on July 25 and September 14 to discuss potential solutions. As a result of these meetings, school district officials have committed to strengthen public education and communication to minimize complaints and to examine the terms of its existing contracts for program administration.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Program Results
The table below provides the combined program results for each participating school district for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years. It is important to note that to date none of the school districts have received any revenue from fines collected since the inception of the program.
District
Buses w/Camera
Citations
Fines Assessed
Fines Collected
% Fines Collected
District Revenue
Northeast
391
24,863
$6,801,400.00
$3,127,211.50
46%
$0
South San
36
2,228
$632,525.00
$283,182.50
45%
$0
Southside
45
1,010
$287,190.00
$107,941.00
38%
$0
Southwest
113
1,024
$292,000.00
$103,397.00
35%
$0
Judson
159
947
$256,750.00
$100,485.00
39%
$0
Ordinance Requirements
The authorizing ordinance granting school districts the ability to implement a bus camera citation program was approved by City Council on June 30, 2016 and establishes the following requirements:
* Video of violation must be reviewed by independent third party
* Written notice of violation must be mailed to owner within 30 days of violation
* School districts must appoint independent hearing e...
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