Illegally going around Lee County school buses rakes in more than $2M in fines

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

Evidence has led to more than $2 million collected in citations as part of an initiative to keep students safe called the School Bus Safety Program.

Gulf Coast News Anchor Elyse Chengery sat down with Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, as well as a school driver for the county for 34 years, and the man in charge of Chief Safety, Security and Fleet Operations for the School District of Lee County.

"I think a lot of the issues are people really don't understand the law. They don't take the time to understand the rules of the road. So if the bus is illuminated, if the lights are on, they have to stop," said Sheriff Carmine Marceno.

The shocking amount of $225 individual citations rolling in since December, when multiple cameras were installed on more than 600 of these Lee County school buses, has totaled more than $2 million and counting.

"I think it sends a message. I think it shows to the public, maybe you know, some may have thought, maybe there wasn't that many violations. And I think now the public now is being aware that others are violating this law by passing the bus. When kids are getting picked up, getting off the bus," said Chief Safety, Security and Fleet Operations David Newlan.

"It breaks my heart because you're not concerned about the safety of the kids," said Gayla James, who's been driving for the school district for more than 34 years.

"It's very difficult because you have to watch the kids, make sure they're in their seatbelts and make sure they're safe. One of us, let alone watching the traffic, people running to stop on people speeding," Jones said. "Sometimes we have cars and trucks. They're stopping right in front of us, so we have to make sure the kids are sitting. It's a hard job. It's not easy."

So how does the program work? Let's break it down. The company with the cameras, called Bus Patrol, is notified of a violation and then sends it to the Lee County Sheriff's Office with what's called an evidence packet containing the camera footage, the vehicle's license plate, bus number and location.

An LCSO deputy then reviews the packet to verify it was indeed a violation. Then it goes back to Bus Patrol, who sends out the $225 violation.

Violations get paid directly to Bus Patrol or disputed.

If disputed, it gets sent back to LCSO for another review, and if it is indeed a violation, bus patrol sends a citation back.

This program is county-wide, so Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero and Bonita Springs.

And for you taxpayers, this program doesn't cost you or the sheriff's office. It's funded through violations.

So where exactly does the money go?

When asking about where it all goes, Newlan says, "There's a portion that comes out of the 225 citation per person that goes back to the bus patrol. The rest of the money does go to Lee County School District. However, we do pay a portion to the Lee County Sheriff's Office for their time because they have to review every single citation that comes in. The camera, the infrastructure. And then also it goes towards bus safety for children. It can go toward recruitment and retention of bus drivers."

Marceno said, "It is surprising. It's surprising because when you see those bus lights on, and you see those stop signs come all the way out. I don't care who you are; you stop your car."

"So our goal is to have no violations someday," Newlan said.

"I will protect the lives of my children, and that's what's more important, safety. We get these kids in school and get them. Home safe so they can go home and have a good time," Jones said.

The School District of Lee County said that the program, which is in multiple states show statistics that 90% of those who receive a ticket do not receive a second one.

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