Safety/Facility Updates

Fredericksburg City Public Schools is committed to providing safe, secure, and well-maintained learning environments for all students and staff. This page serves as a central location for updates related to school safety, facilities, construction projects, maintenance activities, and other operational matters that may impact our schools or community. Information will be added as updates become available.

Memorandum of Understanding FOR REVIEW

This Memorandum of Understanding between the Fredericksburg Police Department and Fredericksburg City Public Schools is under review until December 31, 2025. The feedback form has closed. Thank you for your responses.

FPD/FCPS Memorandum of Understanding

Update on Learning Lane Emergency Stormwater Repairs

Thursday, January 23, 2025, 4:00 PM

Today, January 22, 2025, the City of Fredericksburg provided an update on the Learning Lane emergency stormwater repairs, including an updated timeline to account for delays due to extreme weather conditions.

To learn more, view the City news release: FXBG Learning Lane Emergency Stormwater Repairs NEWS RELEASE

FAQs from the Fredericksburg Police Department on School Zone Enforcement

Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 4:00 PM

What are the goals of automated traffic enforcement?

The goals of automated traffic enforcement are to encourage a change in driver behavior and to increase driver awareness of the impacts of speed-related crashes in school and work zones. Driving too fast for conditions is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. In 2021, speeding was responsible for 29% of fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the United States, the highest percentage since 2013. (NHTSA, 2023)

School children and other pedestrians in a school zone make it imperative that drivers stay alert and obey the posted speed limit. Driving too fast for certain conditions reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway, extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle, and increases the distance a vehicle travels while a driver reacts to a dangerous situation.

How do speed cameras work?

The automated speed cameras measure the speed of each passing vehicle. A series of videos and photographs are recorded to document vehicles traveling at or above a determined speed threshold. The date, time, and location of the violation, as well as the speed and license plate of the violator’s vehicle, are recorded. Following the proper identification of the registered owner of the vehicle using the license plate number, the registered owner is mailed a citation, which includes information pertaining to the violation.

How will I know if I am in a speed camera zone?

"Photo enforced" signs will be affixed to speed limit signs in designated areas.

When does enforcement occur?

Enforcement occurs during school hours when children are going to or from school, as indicated by flashing lights in the school zone.

Where are the cameras located?

Cameras will be strategically located in the Hugh Mercer Elementary and James Monroe High school zones.

What is the fine for a school zone speeding violation?

The fine is $100 by state law.

Will I receive points on my driving record for an Automated Speed Enforcement Citation?

No. Violations are zero-point traffic infractions that are not reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Is a citation reviewed before it is mailed out?

Yes, in addition to being reviewed by the contractor, Altumint, each citation is verified and approved by a police officer. The reviewing police officer signs a statement on the citation that indicates the vehicle was being operated in violation of the law based on inspection of the recorded images.

Will there be a warning period?

Yes, the warning period is the first 30 days after cameras are installed. Violations recorded within the first 30 days of camera installation will receive warning notices only.

How can an Automated Speed Enforcement Citation be contested?

The registered vehicle owner may request a hearing to challenge an Automated Speed Enforcement Citation. The owner has thirty (30) days from the date of the issuance of the citation to contest an Automated Speed Enforcement Citation. At this point, the vehicle owner has the option to contest the citation online, by mail or in person. If no response is received, either in the form of payment or a hearing request, you lose your right to appeal.

If I receive an Automated Speed Enforcement Citation, can I see images of the alleged violation?

Yes, photographs will be made available to the registered vehicle owner. The recorded speed will also be made available. The citation will provide instructions to access the photographs on a secured website.

How do I pay the citation?

Follow instructions listed on your citation.

The City of Fredericksburg Launches School Zone Speed Cameras to Protect Students and Improve Road Safety

Friday, November 1, 2024, 12:00 PM

Fredericksburg, VA — The City of Fredericksburg and the Fredericksburg Police Department are introducing school zone speed enforcement cameras to protect students and enhance road safety. These cameras will be installed in two City school zones in late 2024 to protect students and enhance road safety. These cameras will be installed in two City school zones in late 2024 to ensure drivers follow posted speed limits, creating a safer environment for children.

Fredericksburg is partnering with Altumint, a leader in automated traffic enforcement services, to provide and manage these speed cameras. For more information about Altumint, please visit their website at Altumint's website.

To ensure a smooth transition, a 30-day warning period will be implemented. We are hopeful that this time will allow drivers to adjust their behavior. During this time, violators will receive warnings instead of citations. This grace period aims to educate drivers and encourage compliance with speed limits, enhancing safety without immediate penalties. Additional information will be shared when the warning period dates are selected. For the latest updates on implementation dates and locations, please visit the City's website.

Cameras will be strategically located in the Hugh Mercer Elementary and James Monroe High school zones.

A Few Words from Our Leaders:

Brian Layton, Chief of Police: “It is crucial to create a safe environment for our students, families, and employees as they commute to and from school. We aim to positively influence driver behavior near our school campuses by implementing this innovative technology.”

Kerry Devine, Mayor: "We wish to deter speeding Citywide, but it is especially important to provide safe school zones for our children.  City Council supports this effort to increase our community's safety."

Dr. Matthew Eberhardt, Deputy Superintendent of FCPS: "We appreciate our community's efforts to ensure the safety of all children and visitors to our schools.  Certainly, reducing speeds during high traffic times is needed to keep people safe."

Holly Cooper, CEO of Altumint: “The efficacy of speed cameras in school zones is well-documented. In similar programs across Virginia, we have seen a 75% decrease in speed violations within just three months. These results demonstrate that speed cameras are a crucial tool in protecting our most vulnerable road users—our children.”

Virginia law allows for the use of photo speed monitoring devices in school zones and the associated $100 fine. [Code of Virginia 46.2-882.1].

We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of our community members during this transition period. Please contact Captain Hill with the Fredericksburg Police Department with any inquiries or concerns regarding the implementation of speed enforcement cameras.

Together, we can make our streets safer for everyone.