On Tuesday, October 14, the Macon-Bibb County Commission unanimously approved an ordinance allocating $960,500 from school zone camera funds to purchase new equipment for the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office (BSO). The funding will allow the Sheriff’s Office to renew its Axon contract, which provides deputies with body cameras and tasers.

“These funds allow us to directly reinvest in the people and tools that keep our community safe,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “From better pay for our public safety employees to new technology that helps our deputies do their jobs more effectively, every dollar supports our ongoing mission to protect our schools, neighborhoods, and families.”

Since the County began collecting fines from drivers speeding more than 10 mph over the limit near schools, that revenue has been allocated to a variety of projects that improve safety for both students and the community, including:

• Salary increases for public safety employees

• School Resource Officer and crossing guard salaries

• Crosswalk installations and upgrades

• Flock, Verkada, and Adapt to Solve cameras to aid criminal investigations

• Knox Boxes to give deputies and firefighters access to schools during emergencies

• School zone flashing lights as additional warning systems

• Public safety vehicles and other essential equipment