BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — More school zone cameras will be in action across Buffalo come next Monday. A spokesperson for the city said around 15 additional cameras will be in operation, as in-person classes begin for some Buffalo Public Schools. That spokesperson says the city plans on detailing the re-roll out of the program later this week.
Late last year, the Buffalo Common Council voted to put the program on hold. Mayor Byron Brown vetoed the measure.
Tuesday, knowing that more cameras would be turned online, common councilors spoke out against the program.
“At the end of the day, this is a freaking mess, and our citizens are suffering in the midst of a pandemic over this mess,” said Buffalo Common Council Member Rasheed Wyatt.
“This needs to be paused. We asked for it to be paused. I still think it needs to be paused. I'll say it again, I'm not saying that it doesn’t need to be, at all. I'm simply saying it needs to be right,” explained Buffalo Common Council President Darius Pridgen.
The two council members were speaking during the Common Council’s Committee on Legislation.
The city has said the cameras work, stating compliance in school zones has increased from 34% to 94%. Last month, Parking Commissioner Kevin Helfer said there were problems, but insists the vendor running the program is working to correct them.
The city says there will more than likely be a warning period for the cameras that are re-activated next week.
