5 more Long Island school districts get speed cameras

NASSAU COUNTY (WABC) -- Speed cameras begin operating Monday outside eight more schools in five Nassau County districts.

There are new fixed cameras in Levittown, Jericho, Greenvale and West Hempstead, as well as new mobile cameras in North Merrick, Plainedge and Oceanside.

They fixed cameras are at Island Trees Memorial Middle School in Levittown, Cantiague Elementary School in Jericho, Gen. Douglas MacArthur High School in Levittown, Harbor Hill School in Greenvale and West Hempstead High School.

Mobile cameras are outside Harold D. Fayette Elementary School in North Merrick, Plainedge Middle School in Plainedge and Oceanside Senior High School in Oceanside.

Nassau County now has 23 fixed and mobile cameras in operation from roughly 7 a.m. through 6 p.m.

Drivers can expect an $80 fine every time they are caught speeding past a school area while classes and other school-related activities are happening.

Nassau County officials initially tried rolling out the program in July, but there were problems in six of the towns where the cameras were placed.

Some drivers complained they didn't know the cameras would be operating during the summer hours, while others said there was poor signage. Some others said that they were given tickets even though they were driving under the speed limit.

Authorities say 10,000 tickets were generated in error, and in response, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano dismissed 40,000 tickets. Now they've worked out the kinks, put up new signs and are ready to crack down on unsafe drivers.

"I think it's a great idea," one mom said. "I don't think they should be having the cameras on as far as when it's not during school. The should monitor during school hours."

Others take a different approach.

"It's to make money," another parent said. "Nassau County, you know?"

Officials expect cameras to be in place at all 56 school districts by the end of the year.

The state law authorizing the speed cameras allows the county to occasionally switch between mobile units and fixed cameras at different sites in a school district.