Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Just in time for the reopening of schools in the City of Buffalo in September, the school speed zone camera program is set to come to and end.
After a year of intense debate and back and forth between the common council and mayor's office, the camera program will be aborted after Mayor Byron Brown did not act on a veto of council legislation that will bring the controversial program to an end.
"These cameras will be removed, no more fines will be displayed by September 1," said Councilman Rasheed Wyatt, the University District representative, during the council Legislation Committee meeting Tuesday.
"This is now the law," said Wyatt in referencing the official end of the program by the agreed upon date of September 1. Mayor Brown had ten days to deliver a veto of the legislation and Tuesday marked the 11th day since the passage of the legislation moving to bring the program to an end.
In addressing the development durging an appearance at the Statler Tuesday, Mayor Brown declined to speak about not delivering a veto but rather focused on his continued willingness to work with the council to improve safety surrounding Buffalo Schools.
"We're more effective when we work together," Mayor Brown stated and added that his intent was never to "go against" the council.
Brown strongly reaffirmed he feels the school speed zone camera program is working, referencing slower speeds near schools and a recent reduction in the number of citations being issued. "I think the program should keep going."
Councilmembers and some community activists have proposed additional safety measures that could be implemented near Buffalo Schools. Mayor Brown says crosswalks will be an option in many locations across the city but many of the suggested improvements aren't feasible from an engineering standpoint.
Brown said his office will continue to share data with the council and work to address safety issues in the city and in areas nearby schools.
