BUFFALO, N.Y. — There's growing opposition to Buffalo's school zone safety program. Some residents are calling it a "scam," while legislators are hoping to address the program's faults.
"This has been a cluster since the very beginning," said Common Councilmember Joseph Golombek.
City leaders are demanding answers into issues with Buffalo's school zone safety program, which put speed cameras in 20 different areas of the city with schools.
Common Councilmember Rasheed Wyatt said, "I know of a woman who paid her ticket, gets two other tickets, and then gets a third ticket for the same ticket."
Not knowing if they were in a school zone, flashing beacons not being on, and tickets being issued when school isn't in session are some of the concerns Buffalo Common Councilmembers are hearing from drivers.
Common Councilmember Joel Feroleto said, "I would like for data on any tickets that were issued outside of the time the cameras are allowed to be on, also data on if there were any tickets issued on dates the cameras are not supposed to be on."
There's now a petition circulating online calling for an end to what some are calling a “money grab.”
"This has nothing to do with child safety, the public was not calling for these cameras. There's never been an issue with this. This was an opportunity that Mayor Byron Brown and the Common Council saw to raise money off the hardworking members of the city of Buffalo during a pandemic when people are suffering financially as it is," said Michael Blake, a Buffalo resident.
Blake started the petition last week and it's already garnered a lot of support. He hasn't received a ticket himself but plenty of his friends have. He's trying to find legal representation to challenge the constitutionality of the cameras.
He said, "We want all the tickets that were issued with these ridiculous cameras to be completely refunded. We're asking for an apology from the mayor, not blaming the company, an apology from the mayor for perpetuating this money grab on his citizens and the third thing we're asking is for these cameras to be thrown into Lake Erie."
On Monday, the city released a statement regarding issues with the cameras:
"The City of Buffalo is aware that our School Zone Safety program vendor, Sensys Gatso, experienced a delay in the mailing of thousands of citations due to a combination of severe weather, pandemic related delays, and difficulties the United States Postal Service has experienced. As a result of these circumstances, individuals who received a citation that is postmarked more than 14 business days past the date of citation issuance will have their fines dismissed while those who have already paid their fine will receive a complete refund. My Administration has spoken with the vendor at their highest level to express our disappointment and is committed to holding Sensys Gatso accountable for this situation while ensuring that an error like this does not occur again. I am committed to administering this program efficiently for the protection of our students, teachers, school staff, and pedestrians whose safety remains our top priority. If people have any questions or concerns regarding a citation they have received they should call 311."
Sensys Gatso also released a statement:
"In the past three weeks, approximately 20,000 motorists received citations for speeding in school zones after the statutory mailing date, rendering the alleged offenses invalid. Notifications have already started going out to all motorists affected that their citations will be voided and for any fines already paid, refunds including any credit card convenience fee, if applicable, are forthcoming. Sensys Gatso remains committed to the City of Buffalo and their goal of reducing speeding in local school zones for the safety of the community at large. To answer the question as to why these untimely citations were delivered: The mail delivery of these citations was delayed due to a severe ice storm in the Midwest the week of October 26th, affecting both our fulfillment processing center and the United States Postal Service. As a result of this issue, the City and Sensys Gatso have agreed that a local fulfillment center be used to process the citations as soon as possible. In addition, plans for a local call center will be developed in partnership with the City of Buffalo’s Economic Development Division. This plan will not only create local jobs but help to ensure that motorists receive their violations in a more timely manner. This investment in the City of Buffalo’s School Zone Safety Program further demonstrates Sensys Gatso’s commitment to the partnership with the City. It is important to note that all of these infractions were accurately recorded and reported. The violations recorded acts of unlawful speeding from 11 miles per hour to as much as 25 miles over the posted speed limit of 15 miles per hour. At 25 miles per hour over the speed limit, there is only a 10% chance of a child surviving being hit by the speeding vehicle."
The Common Council wants further clarification on which tickets actually are valid and which aren't. They also want the city administration to review all the issued citations, to make sure the city isn't making revenue improperly.
Darius Pridgen, the president of the Buffalo Common Council, said, "If this vendor cannot get it together and cannot get it together quickly and these cameras are not adjusted, I am of the opinion that this council will have to take a stand and say this has to go on pause."
A city spokesperson tells Spectrum News the cameras are live currently at two schools: the Nichols School at Colvin & Amherst and the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood school on Bailey Avenue. Both currently have students physically attending school on a daily basis.