HOLMES BEACH – Prior to the start of the new school year on Monday, Aug. 11, new speed zone cameras have been installed near Anna Maria Elementary school.
According to Police Chief Bill Tokajer, the automated speed detection devices will only be operational when the yellow caution lights are flashing during the morning and afternoon student drop-off and pickup periods. Tokajer said a 30-day grace period will be in effect to give motorists time to adjust to the new automated speed detection activities. During the grace period, warning notices will be issued. After the 30-day grace period expires in early September, violators who exceed the posted 15 mph speed limit by 10 mph or more will be issued speeding tickets that carry a $100 fine.
The Florida Legislature’s adoption of House Bill 657 in 2023 authorized the use of speed detection systems to ticket drivers exceeding the school zone speed limit by more than 10 mph.
In August 2024, the Manatee County Commission-approved school speed zone camera program was launched but speed cameras were not installed at Anna Maria Elementary. In February, public outcry about the speed cameras being operational during the entire school day prompted county commissioners to adjust the program’s operational hours to 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the start and end of regularly scheduled school sessions. On March 4, county commissioners voted to end the speed camara program entirely. The program ended on March 6 and all citations issued through March 5 remained valid.
According to the county press release, the county’s school speed zone program resulted in 55,243 notices of violation being issued to motorists. As of March 4, 22,292 drivers paid the $100 fine. At the time, 4,051 violations were still awaiting law enforcement review and 45 violations were to be addressed during a special magistrate hearing held later that month.
New fencing
New security fencing now surrounds the AME property at 4700 Gulf Drive. Most of the fencing installed along the front of the school property is black metal rail fencing that stands between waist and chest high.
The north end of the front of the school property features higher, black metal chain link fencing. The rest of the property is surrounded by higher, silver, chain link fencing. According to Tokajer, the Parent Teacher Association helped fund the more decorative rail fencing installed along the front of the school property.
