BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — School zone cameras, near schools in Buffalo were live for just two days before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. They’ve been dark ever since, until Tuesday.
The city turned on the cameras at five out of 20 locations this morning where students are learning in person.
“For the last two to three weeks, we’ve had our beacons on at five locations, letting people get re-acclimated again,” said Kevin Helfer of the city parking division.
The Buffalo Common Council however has some concerns. Council member Rasheed Wyatt says before the pandemic, an amendment was passed by the council to change the ticketing time to reflect when students are dropped off and picked up from school. Currently, the ticketing time is the entire school day.
Here are the times that the cameras will be live
This week, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown vetoed it saying it wouldn’t be safe, as there is not a uniform pick up and drop off time for all schools. The Mayor also says the cost to change the signs to the new time limits would be too much.
“Residents and citizens in the City of Buffalo were up in arms that this was the entire [school] day,” Wyatt said.
Wyatt says especially during times of financial hardship, taxpayers in Buffalo shouldn’t be hit with another burden.
“A $50 ticket could be a lot for someone treading water, trying to pay rent,” he said.
The city says the remainder of the cameras will be turned on only if that school is in session.
The Buffalo Common Council says it is looking at taking possible legal action against the Mayor’s veto.
