SPOKANE, Wash. – Speed cameras are playing a crucial role in enhancing safety around Spokane Public Schools.
Nikki Dowell, is a mother of 3 and a parent of one Roosevelt Elementary, She emphasized, these cameras bring her comfort as a parent.
“There are accidents every day but if we can prevent them, you know, and sometimes it’s just a careless mistake. But kids, are the size of a bumper,” Dowell said.
Roosevelt Elementary is one of eight Spokane schools equipped with safety speed cameras. These cameras serve as a deterrent to reckless driving.
“Gives you that sense, you know, there can’t be no hit and runs around here,” said Dowell.
The Spokane Public Schools’ speed limit is set at 20 miles per hour. However, the Spokane Police Department noted that in 2024, the average speed for citations ranged from 28 to 32 miles per hour.
In 2024, only two crashes were reported across all eight schools, while the city issued more than 17,000 citations.
“It probably could have made a big difference, when I was a kid, if they were there. It’d prevent a lot of amber alerts and prevent a lot of accidents and just, people getting hurt in general,” Dowell said.
The first school safety cameras were installed at Longfellow Elementary School in 2015. That year, over 1,200 citations were issued.
By 2024, the number had increased to over 3,700.
“Just having that extra security, is awesome,” Dowell said.
These cameras operate during school hours, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., capturing speeding vehicles.
“I’m very happy that they’re here,” Dowell added.
Parents at Roosevelt Elementary feel safer, as the school had only 883 citations in 2024. However, Willard Elementary recorded 3,067 citations in the same year.
“They look at it and they’re able to say you were speeding. This isn’t a judgment call. Our cameras have got you. We need you to drive slower,” said Willard Elementary Principal, Buz Hollingsworth.
Hollingsworth appreciates the cameras. He has experienced the consequences of careless driving firsthand.
During his time at Franklin Elementary, one of his students was hit by a car.
“I still think about it all the time,” Hollingsworth said.
As of 2024, there were no cameras at Franklin Elementary.
“She was crossing a crosswalk, and I wish that we had had one,” Hollingsworth said.
He values the safety net these cameras provide for parents like Dowell.
“They’re excited to have other people that may not have kids here, may not even know there’s a school, until they’re halfway driving by, that they’re driving a little safer because they see the camera,” said Hollingsworth.
Ridgeview Elementary is another Spokane public school with high citation numbers, with cameras installed since 2019.
In 2024, they issued 3,600 citations.
“Just keeps everybody safer,” Dowell said.
For more detailed information on speed camera data around Spokane schools, follow this link and scroll down to Annual Reports.
