Two appointments bring ICC school board to full strength

By Marlene McTigue

Capital Region Independent Media

BETHLEHEM—Albany County Executive Dan McCoy held a press conference Thursday at Bethlehem High School, where he highlighted the ongoing success and future plans of the county’s Stop-Arm Safety Program.

The program, initially introduced to curb illegal passing of school buses, has not only increased safety but also generated significant revenue through traffic violation fines, which is now being reinvested into new youth safety initiatives.

McCoy emphasized that the primary goal of the Stop-Arm Safety Program is to educate drivers and prevent dangerous driving behaviors that put schoolchildren at risk.

“In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need this program,” McCoy said. “But the reality is, there are still drivers who recklessly pass stopped school buses, endangering our children. This program is about changing those behaviors.”

The county executive then showed a video of multiple instances of drivers ignoring or failing to recognize stopped school buses from around the county. The scenes were chilling and illustrates McCoy’s point that there is still much work to be done in educating drivers.

HOW IT WORKS

Through the program, school buses are outfitted with an automated camera system that is activated when a school bus is stopped, and its lights and stop-arm bearing the familiar red octagonal stop signs are engaged. Multiple cameras capture incidents involving vehicles illegally passing the bus. 

Violation enforcement is completed utilizing a video evidentiary system that is screened by local law enforcement.

The impact has been notable, particularly in the Bethlehem Central School District, where traffic infractions have significantly decreased. In June 2023, 185 tickets were issued, but a year later, that number dropped to 59.

“People are getting the message,” McCoy said. “This is proof that education works.”

The Stop-Arm Safety legislation was introduced by Albany County Legislator Matt Miller, D-Selkirk, in 2021.

“I was honored and proud to work with the executive’s office to get this program started,” Miller said. “It’s crucial for safety, as law enforcement can’t be everywhere at once. This program helps fill that gap by holding drivers accountable and making our roads safer for children.”

Miller further explained the program’s operation, noting the efficiency of working with BusPatrol, the company that manages the camera system and ticketing process.

“They handle everything from installing cameras to reviewing footage and issuing tickets. It’s an efficient system that ensures violators are penalized appropriately,” he said.

Miller also shared his experience with constituents who had received tickets.

“While some people were initially upset about getting a ticket, many later admitted they deserved it and appreciated the focus on safety,” he said. “It’s a testament to the program’s effectiveness in changing behaviors.”

While the system is being utilized in Bethlehem and five other school districts around the county, RCS is not among them. Miller thinks that is a mistake.

“The Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk (RCS) District chose to handle the ticketing process internally by using their existing bus cameras. However, this approach is inefficient because it requires the school district’s Transportation Department to review all the footage and then involve the School Resource Officer (SRO) to issue tickets, which is time-consuming and burdensome,” Miller said. I’ve argued that it would be more effective to join the county’s program, which has already proven successful in improving safety and benefits the students without additional costs.”

In addition to continuing the Stop Arm Safety Program, McCoy announced that the funds generated from the traffic violations would support several new initiatives aimed at enhancing student safety and well-being across Albany County:

• Defensive Driving Course for Students: McCoy revealed that the county would cover the cost of defensive driving courses for students in participating schools. “It’s about getting young drivers the education they need before they start driving on their own,” McCoy explained.
• Youth Violence Prevention Program: Partnering with the Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center, the county will establish a Youth Violence Prevention Program. This initiative aims to address the root causes of youth violence and provide support for victims through after-school programs, monthly support groups, and skill-building activities. The program will also create youth ambassadors who have completed the program and can mentor their peers.
• School Resource Officer (SRO) Program: Responding to the recent budget challenges faced by the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District, McCoy announced that the county would fund the continuation of the SRO program in the district. “We need to ensure our schools remain safe spaces for students to learn and grow, and the SRO program plays a crucial role in that,” McCoy said.

The press conference also featured remarks from Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham, Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham, and local school officials, all of whom expressed their strong support for the county’s proactive approach to student safety.

Bethlehem Town Supervisor David VanLuven also praised the Stop Arm Safety Program, stating, “Reckless driving around school buses is one of the most dangerous things a person can do. This program is making our community safer, and I applaud the county for its leadership.”

Superintendent Bonnie Kane of Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District expressed gratitude for the continuation of the SRO program, emphasizing the positive impact it has on students.

“The SRO program allows our students to build positive relationships with law enforcement and enhances the educational environment in our schools,” Kane said.

As the school year begins, McCoy urged drivers to be extra cautious on the roads, especially near school buses and in school zones.

“At the end of the day, it’s about the safety of our children,” McCoy concluded. “And we’ll continue to do everything we can to protect them.”