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Speed cameras now active in 20 school zones around Columbus, police say

This sign informs drivers that automated cameras are being used to enforce the speed limit near Brookstone School in Columbus.
This sign informs drivers that automated cameras are being used to enforce the speed limit near Brookstone School in Columbus. bmcgee@ledger-enquirer.com

The Columbus Police Department has activated automated speed enforcement cameras in 20 school zones across the city, the department announced Friday.

Police said the zones are the first to go live during the 2024-2025 school year, with 13 of the zones issuing warnings and seven zones issuing citations.

“This initiative is part of CPD’s broader School Zone Safety Program aimed at protecting students by curbing speeding during school traffic hours,” the news release says.

The following school zones are active and issuing warnings:

  • Clubview Elementary School

  • Dimon Elementary School

  • Double Churches Elementary School

  • Eagle Ridge Academy/Shaw High School

  • Eddy Middle School/South Columbus Elementary School

  • Forrest Road Elementary School

  • Fort Middle School

  • Georgetown Elementary School

  • Hannan Elementary School

  • Lonnie Jackson Academy/Rothschild Middle School

  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School

  • Rigdon Road Elementary/Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts

  • River Road Elementary School

The following school zones are active and issuing citations:

  • Blackmon Road Middle School

  • Blanchard Elementary School

  • Davis Elementary School

  • Double Churches Middle School

  • Midland Middle School

  • Reese Road Leadership Academy

  • Waddell Elementary School/Wynnton Arts Academy

Police said additional school zones are expected to come online in the 2025-2026 school year. Citations are issued to those traveling 11 mph or more over the speed limit during active school zone hours, according to CPD.

A full list of school zones and enforcement times can be found on the CPD website.

All money collected from fines from speeding violations in Columbus public school zones will be used for CPD public safety programs, the Ledger-Enquirer reported. The first citation is $75 and subsequent citations are $125, according to a 2024 CPD news release.

Results of private school cameras

Speed cameras at two private schools in Columbus resulted in more than $600,000 in fines last year, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.

Cameras in the Brookstone and St. Luke school zones produced fines totaling about $612,000 between February 2024 and December 2024, according to a report from the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office.

Kelby Hutchison
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Kelby Hutchison is the breaking news reporter for the Ledger-Enquirer. Originally from Dothan, Alabama, Kelby grew up frequently visiting Columbus to eat at Country’s BBQ in the old Greyhound bus station and at Clearview BBQ on River Road. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.A. in criminal justice and a M.A. in journalism. During his studies, Kelby specialized in community journalism.
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