The Henrico County Police Division is proposing to install photo speed monitoring devices, or speed cameras, at 11 schools by early 2027 to enhance safety for students and others.
At its meeting Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors introduced an ordinance to allow speed cameras at schools. A public hearing is scheduled for the Board’s meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 at the Henrico County Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road.
The county has several initiatives already underway to make roads safer, like Arrive Alive Henrico and Watch Out Ahead Henrico (WOAH!). However, after multiple pedestrian incidents involving school-aged children in summer and fall 2025, Police formed a committee with the Department of Public Works and Henrico County Public Schools to consider new safety measures.
Speeding is a leading factor in severe crashes, according to Police. The idea behind the proposed speed cameras is to slow drivers down, making it safer for students and pedestrians.
“This is just another tool to add to that toolbox,” Capt. Matthew Pecka said. “This is a uniform manner or approach, and it’s going to be countywide. Everyone is going to be able to reap the benefits of slower speeds.”
After noting public concerns about speeding in school zones, Police worked with speed camera vendors to conduct studies at five high schools. They recorded hundreds of violations at each school over four or five days. At one high school, the study found about one-third of its daily drivers were speeding.
As envisioned, speed cameras would be placed at all nine high schools and at Tuckahoe and Fairfield middle schools. The cameras would be active only when the yellow lights on the school zone sign are flashing, typically before and after instructional hours.
Before the speed cameras are activated, Police would educate the public on how they work, Pecka said. There would also be a 30-day grace period before enforcement.
“This agency is about transparency, and it’s important that we’re communicating to the public that we’re trying to ensure a safe environment for our students,” he said.
The division is still reviewing vendors. Pecka emphasized that the cameras would be unrelated to the automatic license plate reader cameras of Flock Safety.
The speed cameras use LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, which is triggered only when someone speeds past the camera. A photograph captures the rear license plate, as well as the vehicle’s make and model. The cameras do not capture the driver’s face, according to Police.
Police also would create a public dashboard to provide data on the number of citations issued.
“We will be able to, in real time, provide data as to what we’re seeing out in the field regarding these photo speed cameras,” Pecka said.
While the vendor would capture violations, Police would review and verify all tickets before a citation is mailed to the vehicle’s owner. Drivers would be able to dispute the citation in court.
The ordinance, as being drafted, follows current state law, which allows a civil penalty of up to $100 for vehicles going 10 mph above the posted school zone speed limit. The Board of Supervisors could approve the ordinance as proposed or make changes following the public hearing.
The photo speed enforcement program would be completely violator funded, according to Police. Funds collected from citations would be divided between the vendor and the county. The breakdown of the split has not been finalized. The vendor would use its share of the revenue to maintain and repair the cameras. The county’s portion would support pedestrian safety initiatives.
Separate from the proposed cameras, Public Works has 19 pedestrian safety projects at elementary schools in the works or completed. Some schools, like Nuckols Farm Elementary and Arthur Ashe Elementary, received additional signage and crosswalks while other schools have gotten sidewalk and turn-lane improvements.