Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - In just three months, BusPatrol reports 22,000 tickets have been issued to drivers in Buffalo caught on camera illegally passing stopped school buses.
One city lawmaker is concerned about that number, and stands by his vote against the program.
"I'm concerned about the danger that these folks are putting our children in," said University District Councilman Rasheed Wyatt.
He wishes the city's motivation with this program steered toward safety.
"The financial crisis that we're in right now, it really is about the money. And that's the unfortunate part," Wyatt said with WBEN. "I'm absolutely concerned about the safety of children, and the number is very alarming. However, the intention that the city has done it is what bothers me even more."
As alarming as the numbers may be, Wyatt feels he needs to be convinced about where fine money collected will go.
"I think some folks came to us from the urban think tank, and there have been some concerns about the dollars and where the dollars are going," he said. "Many of the dollars aren't really necessarily going back to the school district for improvement and safety. I'm willing to look at that in hopes that we can make sure those dollars are going to make our our schools area, school bus areas are safe."
BusPatrol did not return out calls for comment.