Santa Rosa County Approves School Zone Speed Cameras Despite Privacy Debate

Santa Rosa County, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Santa Rosa County commissioners approved a contract Thursday for school zone speed cameras, ending a debate that had stretched across several meetings.

The contract with Altumint Inc. is a cooperative purchasing agreement piggybacked off a City of Lake Wales contract. It is structured as a violator-funded program, meaning taxpayers pay nothing upfront. Each VioCam speed detection system costs $3,499 per month and only activates during school zone hours. Drivers must be traveling 11 or more miles over the posted limit to receive a citation, which carries a civil fine with no points assessed to a driver's license. A sworn deputy reviews every violation before a citation is mailed.

What generated the most debate was a separate provision in the contract — for every speed camera deployed, Altumint offers the county a free Flock Falcon license plate reader or Condor camera to be placed at a county-chosen location. Critics argued the bundled surveillance cameras deserved a separate discussion. Supporters said existing state law already restricts how the data can be used.

Commissioner Ray Eddington made the motion to approve. Commissioner Bobby Burkett was the lone objection, saying he wanted more time to research the company. The contract passed without objection from the remaining four commissioners.