New speed cameras installed at two Mesa schools

By Connor Van Ligten
Mail

Mesa Police installed four new speed cameras near Highland Junior High and Eastmark High recently.

The cameras, two at Highland on 6915 E. Guadalupe Road and two at Eastmark on 9560 E. Ray Road, were installed Dec. 5, according to a post on X from Mesa Police. A 30-day warning period was instituted once the cameras went live. The warning period is set to end Jan. 4, 2026.

John Dreyer, Mesa Police public information officer, said the cameras were approved by the city council due to concerns raised by community members near both schools.

“The concerns expressed by the communities were the volume of vehicles, speed of vehicles and the number of students coming to/from the schools,” Dreyer said.

Dreyer said the devices use a combination of detection systems and cameras to capture violations. The speed cameras would act as a deterrent for speeding in their respective school zones, which have a 15 mph speed limit under state law.

According to the Mesa municipal court, speeding in a school zone would be considered a civil traffic violation, which could result in a fine of varying amount based on how fast the driver is going while speeding.

“Both of these streets are wide with a high volume of traffic,” Dreyer said. “The goal is to slow the traffic down to protect the children walking and biking to and from school, since slower speeds increase chances of surviving a collision.”

Dreyer also shared a few tips for drivers to not put others in danger while driving in school zones.

“Drivers should follow all posted speed signs, stay off their phones, watch for crossing guards, and expect unpredictable behavior by children who may enter the roadway unexpectedly,” Dreyer said.

Connor Van Ligten
Reporter | Fountain Hills/Scottsdale

cvanligten@iniusa.org

After graduating from Arizona State University's Cronkite School in spring 2022, Connor Van Ligten spent a little over year as a reporter for WWL-TV in New Orleans before finding themselves back in Phoenix in October of 2023. Now back in the Valley and writing for the Mesa Independent and the Daily Independent, Connor is ready to tell meaningful stories and report on important civic issues facing Mesa. Connor is a big fan of the 49ers, Warriors, pro wrestling, anime, dogs and fighting video games.