Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras to Issue Tickets in Children's Safety Zones Near Union Park, Hancock and Bogan High Schools

March 21, 2014

New Cameras to Issue Warnings Near Orr High School and Sherman Parks

Speeding tickets will begin to be issued on Sunday, March 23rd from Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras in the Children’s Safety Zones near Union Park, Hancock and Bogan High Schools, while the 30-day warning period will begin for the new cameras near Orr High School and Sherman Park.

The cameras near Union Park at 140 &141 N. Ashland Ave., near Hancock High School at 5433 & 5428 S. Pulaski Rd. and 4045 & 4040 W. 55th St. and near Bogan High School at 7833 & 7826 S. Pulaski Rd. and 3851 & 3832 W. 79th St. have completed the warning phase, and will begin issuing tickets on Sunday, March 23rd.

On the following day, March 24th, newly installed ASE cameras near Orr High School at 4040 & 4041 W. Chicago Ave. and 732 N. Pulaski Rd., and near Sherman Park at 1315 & 1334 W. Garfield Blvd. will begin to issue warnings for a 30-day period.

In most locations, one camera system can enforce the speed limit for traffic traveling in both directions. In these zones, the streets are too wide to rely on one system, necessitating two cameras to accurately enforce traffic traveling in both directions.

The City will start enforcement by only issuing tickets for speeders going 10 or more miles per hour over the posted speed limit. That ticket threshold will gradually be lowered going forward. Fines for violations are $35 for vehicles traveling 6-10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit while in a safety zone, and $100 for vehicles traveling 11 or more miles over the posted speed limit.

The City plans to equip Children’s Safety Zones around parks and schools with ASE cameras in an effort to increase safety and reduce speeding. Any revenue generated by the program is to be invested in critical safety initiatives including after-school, anti-violence and jobs programs; crossing guards and police officers around schools; and infrastructure improvements, such as additional signs, crosswalk markings and other traffic safety improvements.