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School Zone Speed Enforcement Program
Overview
The City of Homestead is committed to keeping our students, families, and school staff safe. We launched the School Zone Speed Enforcement Program, authorized by the Homestead City Council via Ordinance Number 2024-11-30. This program uses automated Speed Detection Systems to enforce speed limits in school zones identified as high-risk areas. Here’s what you need to know about how it works and what it means for you as a resident.
We’re stepping up safety around our schools by cracking down on speeding where it matters most. The program targets drivers who exceed the speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour (mph) in designated school zones during specific school-related times. With this initiative, we aim to reduce accidents and protect our community’s kids.
- Speed Detection Systems will monitor school zones and capture images or video of vehicles speeding excessively.
- If you’re caught, you’ll receive a Notice of Violation by mail with details like your vehicle’s speed, the time, and location of the violation.
- You may either pay the fine (as set by state law), submit an affidavit if the registered owner was not the driver, or request an Administrative Hearing with the Special Magistrate to contest the violation.
- To do so, follow the instructions provided on the Notice of Violation, call 1-877-204-5019 for more information, or email hearings to request a hearing or email affidavits to submit an affidavit.
- This is in addition to regular police enforcement - officers can still issue tickets the old-fashioned way!
The cameras are active only during key school times, and they’ll ticket you if you’re driving more than 10 mph over the posted school zone speed limit. Here’s when enforcement happens:
- During active school zone times (when school zone flashers are in effect), violations will be issued when a vehicle exceeds 10 mph over the 15 mph school zone speed limit.
- During regular school hours (when school zone flashers are not in effect), violations will be issued when a vehicle exceeds 10 mph over the posted speed limit.
For example, when school zone flashers are on, a violation would occur with a driver going 26 mph. When school zone flashers are off during the school day, violations would occur if, for example, a driver is going 46 mph in a posted 35 mph zone.
After reviewing traffic data and holding a public hearing on November 20, 2024, the City Council identified these 14 school zones for Phase 1 of the School Zone Speed Enforcement Program as high-risk areas where Speed Detection Systems will operate:
- Gateway Environmental K-8 Learning Center
955 SE 18th Avenue
Homestead, FL 33035 - Keys Gate Charter High School/Key Gate Charter School
2325 SE 28th Avenue
Homestead, FL 33035
(listed twice due to multiple zones) - Homestead Senior High School
2351 SE 12th Avenue
Homestead, FL 33035 - Campbell Drive K-8 Center/Center for International Education
15790 SW 307th Street
Homestead, FL 33033
(listed twice due to multiple zones) - Laura C Saunders Elementary School
505 SW 8th Street
Homestead, FL 33030 - Everglades Preparatory Academy
2251 Mowry Drive
Homestead, FL 33033 - West Homestead K-8 Center
1550 SW 8th Street
Homestead, FL 33030 - Homestead Middle School
650 NW 2nd Avenue
Homestead, FL 33030 - Homestead Middle School/Neva King Cooper Educational Center
151 NW 5th Street
Homestead, FL 33030 - The Charter School at Waterstone
855 Waterstone Way
Homestead, FL 33033 - Somerset Academy South Homestead Middle/High
305 NE 2nd Road
Homestead, FL 33030
We’re continually evaluating other campuses that may not yet have a designated school zone but could benefit from extra protection. If traffic data or community feedback shows a need, we’ll work to expand the School Zone Speed Enforcement Program to keep every student safe, no matter where they learn.
Speeding in school zones puts our kids at risk. Detailed traffic studies and a public hearing on November 20, 2024, confirmed that these areas need extra protection. By enforcing speed limits with technology, we’re making our streets safer for everyone, especially during busy drop-off and pick-up times.
Allocation of Citation Revenue
Of each $100 collected, $60 is retained by the City to administer school zone speed detection systems and support other public safety efforts. The remaining $40 is distributed as follows:
- $20 to the Florida Department of Revenue for the General Revenue Fund
- $12 to Miami-Dade County Public Schools for school security, student transportation, or safe walking conditions
- $5 to the City for the School Guard Recruitment and Retention Program
- $3 to the Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund
| Date | Magistrate |
|---|---|
| March 27, 2025 | Jenkins |
| April 24, 2025 | Jenkins |
| May 22, 2025 | Jenkins |
| July 24, 2025 | Stiles |
| August 21, 2025 | Stiles |
| September 18, 2025 | Stiles |
| October 23, 2025 | Stiles |
| November 20, 2025 | Stiles |
| December 04, 2025 | Jenkins |
Questions?
If you get a violation notice, it’ll explain your options: pay the fine, submit an affidavit, or request a hearing.
Want to learn more? Email the Homestead Police Department. You can also check your notice for details on how to review the evidence.
Let’s work together to keep Homestead’s school zones safe!