Skinner calls for action on school bus stop-arm cameras

A candidate for North Bay City Council is pushing for the installation of stop-arm cameras on local school buses. In the open letter below, Darryl Skinner calls on local stakeholders to follow the example of the Town of Mattawa in making an agreement with the camera provider for equipment, installation, and maintenance — with the costs to be covered over time by revenue from traffic violation fines. 

See related: Let's Remember Adam campaign pushing for stop arm safety systems

See also: All municipalities can choose to outfit local school buses with no-cost smart cameras

Skinner says this issue needs immediate action and hopes that it will be one of the first topics of discussion for the new city council.

To all concerned:

Why is it, in this day and age we cannot put measures in place to protect our children? Why do we continue to accept political responses saying this is not our responsibility? Or, the cost? School buses are not owned by the city? Unacceptable! I’m baffled as to why City Council is not leading this charge. This is
our children, our family, our future. Mayor and Council are responsible for the safety of the community.

As a concerned resident of North Bay and a Council Candidate, I’m telling you, we need action and we need it now. Not later, not down the road and definitely not after someone is hurt or has died in a careless and preventable accident.

Here we are three weeks into the school year and already 36 reported incidents of drivers illegally passing school buses with their red lights flashing
and stop arm extended. That’s 36 in 16 school days! That’s just over two per day. These are only reported incidents, I have spoken with school bus drivers that see a lot more and cannot get any traction with Police Services due to lack of evidence.

Stop-arm cameras should be required on all school buses within the City of North Bay. The camera monitors and records video of traffic in both directions. It’s the perfect tool to prevent these careless incidents. It is also a tool that is required for Police Services to effectively lay charges. It is irrefutable evidence that can be used in court.

Now, just in case you are worried about cost, and I truly hope this is not the case, in 2020 the Town of Mattawa in cooperation with BusPatrol (Bus Camera Company) installed cameras on all of Mattawa’s school buses. There wasn’t any initial cost to the school bus company or town. The
camera and installation cost is fronted by the camera company. They would then recoup the cost through a percentage of the fines from the traffic violations. This would also cover the ongoing camera maintenance.

I'm calling on the Mayor, Council, North Bay Senior Management, North Bay Police Services, Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services, and the school boards to make the decision to work together and not only protect our community but to protect our children. Let’s all make the right decision.

Sincerely,

Darryl Skinner

Editor's note: Skinner is one of 29 candidates running for city councillor in North Bay in the October 24 municipal election.