By Anne White
Greenwich police report heavy compliance issues in the first days of the town’s school-zone speed-camera program, with thousands of motorists triggering warnings during the 30-day grace period. The system, covering several public and private school campuses, began issuing mailed warnings on October 6 and will convert to ticket enforcement on Nov. 20.
Chief Jim Heavey said early data shows widespread speeding through school corridors despite posted signs, flashing beacons, and public outreach before the launch. “Thousands of violators,” he said, describing the volume of warnings generated during the initial rollout.
The department implemented the program after 2024 speed studies documented persistent speeding near schools. The studies recorded more than 44,000 violations in a five-day period across multiple school zones, drawn from more than 223,000 vehicles passing through during that same window. A significant share of those violations involved drivers traveling more than 10 mph over the limit.
The new enforcement areas include Central Middle School, Glenville School, Greenwich Academy, Greenwich High School, Parkway School, North Street School, Brunswick Lower School, and Eagle Hill School. Cameras identify vehicles traveling at least 10 mph above the posted limit during school hours when beacons are active.
Under state law, warnings carry no penalty. Citations issued after Nov. 20 will be civil in nature, with fines but no license points or insurance consequences. Police officials said the phased approach is intended to shift driver behavior before monetary enforcement begins.
The department outlined the safety rationale behind the program. Data show that a child struck by a vehicle at 40 mph has a low chance of survival, while survival rates improve sharply when the striking vehicle is traveling at 20 mph. National sources cited in the department’s materials also note that most child pedestrian fatalities occur during weekday school-related hours.
Police said early observations suggest some improvement in driver behavior, but the number of warnings underscores ongoing risks for students, staff, and families during arrival and dismissal times. Officers noted that morning congestion on East Putnam Avenue and other feeder roads heightens the consequences of higher speeds in school corridors.
The department plans additional public-awareness reminders ahead of the enforcement transition. Heavey said motorists should pay close attention to school-zone beacons and adjust habits if they receive a warning. The cameras will operate only on school days during active school-zone hours, and police expect to release additional data after the first complete month of warnings.
