SISD to put cameras on school bus stop arms

The safety of students is a top priority on and off of campus.

That’s what officials at the Socorro Independent School District are telling ABC-7
as they move forward with installing new cameras on their buses.

These cameras aren’t pointed at the students. They are aimed to record any drivers violating bus stops.

The stops arms are the ones that pop out of the side of the bus when it stops to drop off and pick up students.

Bus drivers and parents ABC-7 spoke with say it’s a violation that happens too often.

At 2 p.m. Socorro Independent School District bus drivers head out to pick up students as they run out the door to go home for the day.

But school officials and parents have seen a safety problem brewing for a while now.

Cathleen Hallatt told ABC-7 she’s seen too many bus stop arm violators.

“I see it often in the mornings and the afternoon. Parents turning right or left when the red lights are still on the buses,” said Hallett.

SISD put cameras on 10 of its buses as a test run for one month. And the results?

“During that time time we had 305 violations,” said Hector Reyna, SISD operations manager.

That was just 10 buses. The district has about 250.

For Hallatt it’s a frightening thought.

“You never know if there’s a child going to run out in the middle of the road,” Hallatt said.

In December the district approved a contract with a state-of-the-art system that would catch those violators on video.

So exactly how will offenders be penalized?

Reyna told ABC-7 the company contracted will do most of the work.

“They will work with the entities involved and they will go after the violators,” said Reyna.

The company then sends the video to authorities who then issue the ticket. Much like red-light cameras.

“When you don’t stop it’s $300,” said Reyna.

The district doesn’t even have to pay for the service. The company recoups the costs through the fines and on top of that,”Socorro will receive 25 percent of the $300,” Reyna said.

But for parents like Hallatt it’s not about the money. It’s about safety.

“Any extra eyes and ears, eyes especially in this situation is helpful. Hopefully it’s a deterrent for parents and drivers in general,” said Hallett.

District officials say the money made from violators can be reinvested in adding more security, police services or transportation.

They tell ABC-7 they are working to have the cameras on school buses next year after all agreements are worked out with everyone involved.