City Makes Steps Towards Safer School Zones By Passing Speed Detection Systems Ordinance

August 14, 2025

by City of Panama City

PANAMA CITY, FL - August 12, 2025 - This morning, the Panama City Commission approved Ordinance 3275 - Speed Detection Systems in School Zones. The primary goal of the systems is to enhance child and pedestrian safety by using automated license plate readers (LPRs) and camera technology to enforce the designated speed zones around schools within the City.

Points of Emphasis:
It’s important to note that LPRs are already used in the City of Panama City, Bay County and across the state of Florida.
Additionally, there is no way to adequately staff law enforcement at all school zones at all times.
This is about choosing between tax increases to fund public safety enhancements or offender-funded solutions.

The passing of this ordinance allows City staff to begin the planning process, including negotiations with potential vendors for installation. The Commission, though, must still vote on and grant final approval for a future contract with a selected vendor and finalize key details such as cost structure, camera locations and system data collection.

How It Works: During the hours of an existing school speed zone (30 mins before and after school hours), anyone driving 11 mph or more over the posted speed would be processed for a speed violation. While the speed detection system collects data of the violator, an officer with the Panama City Police Department must verify the violation before a ticket is issued. The ticket is only a fee; it will not result in points on your license/insurance.

At this time, the targeted implementation date is the first day of school in January 2026, with at least a 30-day warning period for drivers to be aware of the systems in place before the first ticket is issued. Additionally, a sunset (expiration) date has been suggested for August 2028.

Further communication regarding the decided school zones speed detection system vendor, process for ticketing, fee structure and implementation will be provided as the Commission makes these decisions over the next few months.

Commission Discussion

Mayor Allan Branch emphasized that the study on school speed detection systems began a year ago and that this vote is not about vendors or spending. He shared that the public may not realize the amount of cameras that are already in use in Panama City and Bay County and questioned whether the City has exhausted other traffic calming resources and how we could increase signage around schools.

Commissioner Josh Street said he believes that without penalties, driver behavior won’t change. He insisted on a unified 30-day warning period and requested cost comparisons for a monthly, yearly and 3-year contract.

Commissioner Robbie Hughes was concerned about cameras operating all day, not just during school hours, as well as the responsibility of the City for the equipment if the system isn’t successful in achieving its primary goal.

Commissioner Janice Lucas considered the safety and financial aspect of this initiative, noting that this speed detection system would bring in revenue to assist in other public safety measures the City could seek.

Commissioner Brian Grainger supported the use of cameras for data gathering but opposes automated ticketing with concerns of backlash from automation, potential for errors and vendors wanting to expand hours to increase revenue. He suggested a pilot program to include putting more cameras in neighborhoods so police could determine problem areas of speeding, where people are cutting through to beat traffic, and then target police enforcement based upon that data.

The Commission passed the ordinance 4-1. Commissioner Grainger was the only dissenting vote.

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