Rochester School Board Approves Bus Stop-Arm Camera Program to Boost Student Safety

The Rochester City School District has approved a new school bus stop-arm enforcement program aimed at improving student safety by penalizing drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses.

Bus Patrol's platform include cameras that harness artificial intelligence on every bus they are installed on. Captured footage will be made available to bus patrol personnel then to law enforcement.

The district's Board of Education voted in favor of the initiative at its March 27 meeting, paving the way for the installation of cameras on school buses that will capture violations when drivers fail to stop for buses with extended stop arms and flashing red lights. Fines for violations will begin at $250.

Northwest District Councilmember Bridget Monroe praised the board’s decision and the district’s partnership with the City of Rochester. She shared a personal story to underscore the importance of the new measures.

“The safety of our children is both a personal and professional priority for me,” Monroe said. “My family was personally impacted by the lack of respect for school bus loading and unloading when my son was hit by a car speeding past a stopped school bus. It is my hope that this legislation and partnership will not only make our children safer but strengthen efforts to hold violators accountable.”

The enforcement program will utilize cameras provided and maintained by BusPatrol, a technology company specializing in school bus safety. The cameras will capture footage of violations, which will then be reviewed by authorities to issue fines. The program will be revenue-neutral for the district, with fine proceeds covering operational costs.

The move aligns Rochester with other Monroe County districts — including Hilton, East Irondequoit, and Webster — that have already implemented similar safety measures. Those districts have reported more than 3,500 violations collectively since deploying the technology.

Mayor Malik Evans has also supported the initiative, calling it a necessary step to protect students. The program is expected to be in place by the start of the next school year.

“I look forward to the implementation of this significant undertaking,” Monroe said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my colleagues on City Council, Mayor Evans, and our partners at the Rochester City School Board for their support.”