Do it for the kids: Cameras in school zones

Gary Sherrill, Las Vegas

Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 | 2:06 a.m.

While recently shopping for a birthday gift for my grandson, I approached a school zone with blinking lights and slowed to the posted 15 mph limit. Proceeding through the zone, I was passed by a motorist driving well over the school zone speed limit. Evidently the driver felt slowing for the school zone, even though there was the potential of endangering children, was a great inconvenience.

Later I was again passed by a motorist in another active school zone. This driver was obviously more inconvenienced than the first driver, judging by his or her speed.

I hit upon the idea that the teachers union should forget about battling the casino industry for additional money and instead petition state legislators for speed cameras in active school zones. The revenue raised with the cameras would help to supplement the financial needs of the School District and the union.

The previous opposition to street cameras proposed by legislators, that cameras invade and expose one’s personal and private life, could be counteracted by the mantra: It’s for the children, it’s for the children.

Taken another step, why not assist Metro Police’s current budgetary need for additional officers by having cameras to ticket red-light-runners?

Maybe there is a need in this city for Big Brother’s assistance.