East Providence Installs Speed-Checking Cameras In School Zones

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — East Providence Public Schools installed traffic cameras around school grounds and will begin issuing warnings for violations this week.

City officials said they installed nine cameras with signage to let drivers know the program is live. Enforcement will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and although some signs at schools reflect different times, they will soon be updated with the appropriate hours.

City officials said the cameras will enhance school safety and make traffic enforcement citywide more efficient.

"We want our residents and area motorists to know the program will be live, and the warning period will begin this week," said East Providence Police Chief Chris Francesconi. "Our goal is simple: to get motorists to drive safely and not speed in school zones. "Changing driver behavior for the benefit of our residents and their kids is the purpose of this program, not issuing tickets."

As part of the program, contractor Sensys Gatso covered the costs for the equipment, camera installation and signage. The police department will retain all powers and responsibilities and will make the final determination if a violation occurred.

Motorists will also retain all rights of appeal through the judicial process. Sensys Gatso’s role is to gather data and send it to the East Providence Police Department for review. The cameras are all pole mounted.

Initials cameras were installed at the following locations:

• eastbound Forbes Street at Riverside Middle School
• westbound Forbes Street at Riverside Middle School
• northbound Pawtucket Avenue at Kent Heights School
• southbound Pawtucket Avenue at Kent Heights School
• northbound Pawtucket Avenue at St. Margaret’s School
• southbound Pawtucket Avenue at St. Margaret’s School
• northbound Pawtucket Avenue at East Providence High School
• southbound Pawtucket Avenue at East Providence High School
• northbound Pawtucket Avenue at St. Mary’s Bay View Academy

During the 30-day warning period violators will receive a notice that if the program had been outside the warning period, they would have received a $50 ticket for exceeding the speed limit in a school zone.

The program will begin issuing actual tickets in January when school returns after the holiday break.