BARTOW, Fla. — Starting this month, 16 red-light cameras will be up and running across the city of Bartow.


What You Need To Know

  • Bartow will activate 16 red-light cameras at eight major intersections on April 21 

  • City officials and local business owners, like Martha Stephens, support the program, citing frequent accidents and dangerous driving behavior

  • While some residents support the initiative, others are pushing back, calling the cameras excessive and inaccurate

The cameras, operated by Verra Mobility, will be placed at the following eight intersections:

  • Wilson Ave. at Van Fleet Dr. / SR 60
  • W. Main St. / SR 60 at Crown Ave.
  • Holland Pkwy. / US 17 / US 98 at Van Fleet Ave. / US 98
  • Broadway Ave. / US 98 at E. Van Fleet Dr. / SR 60
  • Holland Pkwy. / US 17 at Main St.
  • S. Holland Pkwy. / US 17 at W. Wabash St.
  • Holland Pkwy. / US 17 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
  • S. Holland Pkwy. / US 17 at E. Georgia St.

City leaders plan to launch the program Monday, April 21. Officials released video showing vehicles, including semi-trucks, speeding through red lights at several of the main intersections. Though the footage was recorded during a traffic study last year, Martha Stephens, who owns a food truck on State Road 60, says it’s a perfect example of what can happen on the road.

“The traffic is really crazy at times. People run the red lights and even though we have the arrows, they still run them,” she said.

Since opening Hy-Tech Cuisine last March, Stephens says she’s learned of several car accidents nearby. She says one fatal incident involved her new hire, who was struck by a driver while riding her bike on East Van Fleet Drive.

“He said he didn’t see her. You know, it’s once again running the lights. Running the lights,” Stephens said.

This is why she says she couldn’t be more relieved that the city of Bartow is launching its red-light camera program. While others feel the same, some people took to Facebook to share their disappointment, saying the cameras are excessive and often inaccurate. One resident even created a petition in hopes of stopping the program.

However, Bartow Police Chief Stephen Walker stands behind it.

“They work,” he said. “We’re just asking people to obey the law. It’s a force multiplier for us as far as I can’t have my officer at every intersection all the time. Traffic is a big issue in Bartow and so we’re trying to make it safer for everyone.”

Walker says roughly 2.2 million drivers make their way through the city every year, mainly because of the major highways. The cameras are intended to help reduce the number of angle crashes at each intersection.

Officers will review the footage daily to check for violations. Walker says each violation will result in a fine of up to $158, with $75 going to the city.

“Probably will be used for infrastructure improvement. You know, we have roads that need to be improved so that’s where I see it probably going,” he said.

As for Stephens, she says she’s looking forward to the sense of peace the cameras will bring to the community. In the meantime, she has this message for drivers:

“Slow down. Take your time. We all want to live. There’s no place you need to be that that’s urgent and if it is, leave a few minutes earlier,” she said.

The red-light cameras will go live on April 21. Then, notices of violations will be sent out starting May 21.