School speed zone cameras have quickly become the main money maker for Nassau County, raking in more green than a Christmas tree farm.
The eye in the sky is always watching you as if determining your place on the naughty or nice list. But if you think you are getting the decency of a warning before a ticket, think again.
It doesn’t matter what time your phone or car clock says, even if it was mere seconds before 6 p.m. or you were only a 10th of a mile over the allowable grace speed limit—if that light flashes, you’re getting a ticket.
From the first day school speed zone cameras were enacted, residents have been seeing red. Drivers will slam on the brakes to avoid getting a ticket or watch the light out of fear, while not paying attention to the traffic or pedestrians around them.
As for schools, what happened to the crossing guard? What happened to kids and teens being just as aware and responsible of passing cars and buses as they cross the street? Instead, kids are too busy texting with their heads down or wearing dark hoodies as they nonchalantly wander into traffic.
As of this week, it seems that the complaint pile finally reached a limit, as Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced that the speed zone camera hours were finally changed. Precautionary hours now run from 7 to 9 a.m. and then 2 to 4 p.m., as many believe they should have been in the first place.
But while those complainers have gotten their way, the question still points to all the green these cameras have stolen from county residents. Where did this magic fee amount come from? Where does the money even go? Why is it directed to some random state in the midwest?
This holiday season, the only red and green we should be seeing is on Christmas trees.
