Buffalo motorists are sounding off about the new school zone safety program. The program's goal is to protect children from speeding drivers, but residents shared with the Buffalo Common Council on Tuesday there are inconsistencies that need addressing.

Jennifer Paige was one of several parents to sound off Tuesday during a common council hearing.

"Safety should be first, not people who are unable to drive 15 miles per hour," said Paige.

The mother of three applauded the city for adopting a state program to protect kids from reckless driving. The 15 mile per hour speed limit is enforced throughout the entire school day, but others say they have concerns.

"Granted I definitely want the children safe, I just feel that's a little overkill," said driver John Kostner.

Because the city rolled out a state program, they have no control on speed enforcement hours.

Kostner says it's unnecessary to give tickets during the school day when kids are in class. Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs for Buffalo Will Keresztes says otherwise.

"Children are dropped off and picked up all day long, walks and trips take place by teachers and students all day," said Keresztes.

Some motorists are concerned, not just about the cameras, but police enforcement as well.

"Right now, at almost every school that does not have a camera, there's police officers there writing $450 tickets," said one resident.

"I think we need to know that answer: were these officers always there?" said Common Council President Darius Pridgen.

Buffalo Police Captain Jeff Rinaldo told Spectrum News that the BPD has always had a traffic detail as needed throughout all parts of the city.

Drivers say they're also upset that some of the school zone speed limit signs weren't visible enough. That's one reason city officials are now adding flashing beacons and the cameras won't go live without them.

"I'll commit to that: we'll be additionally diligent with these signs, with the school zone speed limit signs, all across the city, regardless of camera or not," said Department of Public Works Commissioner Michael Finn.

Now that the grace period for the program has ended, the council is resetting the conversation back to the initial purpose of the program.

"This has been confusing and it's taken the focus off the children," said Buffalo Common Council Member Rasheed N.C. Wyatt.

It's why common council members say they need to address concerns and show people this is not a money grab.

The first two school zone cameras will go live Wednesday.

Drivers caught speeding in front of Canisius High School on Delaware and the Stanley Makowski School on Jefferson Avenue will be ticketed.