So far this year, Anne Arundel County Police have installed 11 new speed cameras in school zones and doled out 63,927 citations.
The department started its speed camera program in June 2024 with the goal of putting as many as 40 cameras in school zones. As of Tuesday, 35 are up and running, with 28 in school zones and plans for nine more.
“Every day, residents call for safer streets, especially for children,” Anne Arundel County Police Chief Amal Awad said in a news release. “Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility and speed cameras are a proven tool for encouraging drivers to slow down and obey posted speed limits.”
School zones are the half-mile radius around a school. By law, cameras in school zones operate only from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, including holidays.
The department picked the locations based on traffic and crash data, resident complaints and accident history.
From June 2024 through Tuesday, a total of 12,817 warnings and 63,927 citations were issued throughout Anne Arundel. The fine is $40 for driving 12 miles over the posted speed limit.
The police department declined to reveal the specific amount raised. Multiplying the number of citations by the $40 fine totals more than $2.5 million. However, according to the police department, that number is inflated because not all citations have been paid due to pending court cases or other reasons.
By law, the money is used for pedestrian and public safety programs, but citations are also handled by the justice system, so the department does not know how many have been paid so far.
The FY25 proposed budget included $5,500,000 for automated traffic enforcement, including red light and speed cameras. At the time, the estimated annual revenue from this program was $7,400,000, with vendor payments around $3,000,000.
These are the schools with active speed cameras: Van Bokkelen Elementary, Solley Elementary, Shipleys Choice Elementary, Seven Oaks Elementary, Quarterfield Elementary, Pasadena Elementary, Odenton Elementary, Oakwood Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary, Nantucket Elementary, Monarch Global Academy/Brock Bridge Elementary, Millersville Elementary, Marley Middle, Linthicum Elementary, Lindale Middle, Hillsmere Elementary, High Point Elementary, Hebron-Harmon Elementary, Glen Burnie High, George Cromwell Elementary, Folger McKinsey Elementary, Chesapeake High, Brooklyn Park Middle, Broadneck Elementary, Benfield Elementary, Belvedere Elementary, Belle Grove Elementary and Annapolis Area Christian School
Planned locations include: Central Middle, Davidsonville Elementary, Edgewater Elementary, Marley Elementary, School of the Incarnation, Southern High, Southern High, Tracys Elementary, Von Bokkelen Elementary
Have a news tip? Contact Bridget Byrne at bbyrne@baltsun.com or 443-690-7205.
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