The City of Atlanta and Atlanta Public Schools (APS) have found common ground on at least one issue, but not before some testy exchanges between members of the Atlanta City Council. The city will partner with APS to install external cameras on school buses to identify drivers illegally passing stopped buses. The cameras will be placed on the Stop arms of the buses and will help the Atlanta Police Department review and confirm video of any offense and issue the necessary citation. The Atlanta Municipal Court would then adjudicate any disputed citations.
Councilmember Felicia Moore was incredulous that the legislation had only been provided shortly before the council session began. She wanted to take two weeks to properly digest the document and vote on it in the next two weeks, but other council members were ready to move forward.
Councilmember Yolanda Adrean said she was going to vote in favor, but chided Atlanta school board member Steven Lee, who was in the audience and urged the fast passage of the agreement, for dropping the legislation in the council’s lap and expecting a quick resolution.
“We have a number of issues we’re trying to resolve,” Adrean said, referring to the ongoing dispute over tax money owed by the Atlanta BeltLine to APS and deeds held by the city to empty school buildings. “We need a better working relationship. I don’t think the school board would like it if we walked in to your meeting and made this kind of request on such short notice.”
After the council passed the legislation, a statement was released by the mayor’s office.
“The safety of our school children is a top priority for my Administration,” Mayor Kasim Reed said in the media statement. “The installation of these external cameras will not only help to decrease the number of drivers who illegally pass school buses, but also hold offenders accountable for their actions. I look forward to working with APS on the installation and launch of this safety initiative.”
Under the agreement, APS would bear the full installation and ongoing maintenance costs of the cameras. The only costs incurred by the city would be related to the review of offenses and adjudication of disputed citations.
