Federal Way Police Department installing cameras in new school zone

Measure is to address traffic complaints on Southwest Campus Drive

The Federal Way Police Department is activating a new school zone photo enforcement location in the 1300 block of Southwest Campus Drive near Saghalie Middle School.

The measure is to address numerous traffic complaints from residents and school district employees about vehicles exceeding the posted 20 mph speed limit in a school zone, police spokesperson Cathy Schrock said in a media release.

A significant number of children utilize the sidewalk and the crosswalk during school hours at this location.

Currently, the traffic safety photo enforcement cameras are in use at three of the 23 school zones in the city limits. This new location will be the fourth. The school zone cameras are in place at roads with more than four lanes and ongoing school zone speeding problems.

“Traffic safety photo enforcement enables the city to provide ongoing, consistent enforcement in these chronic, high-violation locations, increasing safety for motorists and pedestrians, as well as school children,” Schrock said in the release.

Providing law enforcement at these locations to the level needed would be too cost prohibitive. Camera technology allows the police department to re-allocate officers to other problem traffic locations in the city.

A 30-day warning period will last through the month. Beginning Jan. 1, police will issue tickets.

The city is not increasing the number of cameras in the city with this measure.

Instead, intersection cameras will be moved from another area in the city.

The goal is to change driver behavior through voluntary compliance, according to the release.