Winter Garden School Cameras Begin Issuing $100 Citations March 25 | The Locally Times
The city began issuing $100 speeding citations on March 25 under a new camera program, but public records do not identify the vendor, contract cost, or the procurement process.
## Citations Begin at Two Winter Garden Schools The City of Winter Garden began issuing $100 civil citations for speeding in school zones on March 25, 2026. A second school, Whispering Oak Elementary at 15300 Stoneybrook W. Parkway, will begin issuing $100 citations on April 1, 2026, when its warning period concludes on March 31. The notice specifies that violations are issued for vehicles traveling more than 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The cameras operate 30 minutes before and after school, as well as during the entire school day, on days school is in session. The city document states the $100 penalty is a civil penalty and does not affect a driver's privileges or insurance rates. ## Program Origins and Expansion Plans The speed-detection camera system was approved by Winter Garden City Commissioners through an ordinance passed in January 2025, following a 2023 State of Florida law that authorized municipalities to use cameras for speed enforcement in school zones. The city's notice, posted on February 3, 2026, states that implementation of the program began in January 2026. The Winter Garden Police Department is the enforcing agency for the program. According to the city's notice, the stated intent of the program is to increase the safety of children and staff by deterring speeding. ## Vendor and Financial Details Absent from Public Records Public records related to the new enforcement program do not name the vendor contracted to install and operate the speed camera system, nor do they detail the procurement process for selecting that vendor. Financial information is also absent from the records. They do not specify the cost of the contract, how the vendor is compensated, or if a revenue-sharing agreement is in place for the citation income. The city has not released projections for the amount of revenue the $100 citations are expected to generate or detailed how those funds will be allocated within the city budget. Furthermore, the public notice does not cite specific traffic studies or safety data that led to the selection of Esteem Academy and Whispering Oak Elementary for the initial rollout. The available records also do not specify the criteria for the planned expansion to other city schools or provide a more detailed timeline.