MACON, Ga. — Bibb County has been monitoring speedy drivers in school zones since the spring of 2022.
More and more cameras have been installed, the latest four arriving in September.
This week, Bibb County leaders decided how $3.59 million in ticket revenue will be used to promote school safety.
Tuesday's commission meeting included a 20-minute long debate about the since-approved measure, from how they're measuring the success of speed cameras, to the signs that warn drivers.
Like many other folks in Macon-Bibb, some district commissioners admitted to receiving that dreaded ticket, too.
"We hope that we change the mindset of these people driving through these school zones where over a period of time we continue to see a decreased amount of money coming in which means people are slowing down," Mayor Lester Miller said.
Commissioner like Virgil Watkins proposed ways to adjust the system.
"I think I share a lot of the public sentiment that a lot of these cameras can feel like speed traps and money-grabs," Virgil Watkins said. "There's definitely a need, but I also understand that some folks, not just here but throughout the state, are looking for ways to peel this back."
While Bibb leaders acknowledged public opinion, they unanimously agreed to use $3 million of ticket money for good.
District 9 Commissioner Brendalyn Bailey advocated for the level of safety the cameras provide, noting how her district has lost children to speedy drivers.
"If we have 1,500 tickets, that means there's 1,500 opportunities out there that children could have possibly been hurt," Bailey said.
$300,000 will help fund more crossing guards, while more than $2 million will buy more Verkada and FLOCK surveillance cameras.
$500,00 will keep the flashing school zone lights on.
District 3 Commissioner Stanley Stewart has participated in walking school bus audits with Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful and United Way of Central Georgia.
He's advocating for more buses to be available for students who live close to their schools.
"People need to use better vehicle safety in school zones to make sure the kids are safe," Stewart said.
And while the funding is a start, he says there's lots to consider when it comes to safety.
"It's not the only layer. Everything's always multi-faceted," Stewart said. "There has to be other ways to make sure that the kids are arriving to that destination and leaving that same said destination, going back home is a safe route."
Miller confirmed the cameras are set to ticket drivers going 11 miles per hour over the speed limit during the school day.
They track that speed from one hour before the school day begins to one hour after dismissal.
Miller says the county plans to conduct an audit to measure how the school zone cameras have influenced drivers' speeds next year.