Pacific adds school speed cameras near Alpac Elementary

The City of Pacific, Washington, has activated new automated speed enforcement cameras near Alpac Elementary School, starting with a 30-day warning period. City officials say the program is meant to slow drivers in school zones and protect students, families and pedestrians.

Why it matters: - The new cameras target speeding in a school zone where children, families and pedestrians are most vulnerable. - The program shifts enforcement from warnings to civil penalties after the 30-day grace period, which can change driver behavior quickly. - The city is expanding automated enforcement beyond its October 2026 rollout in the Interurban Trail Park area along 3rd Avenue SW.

What happened: - The City of Pacific, Washington, activated new school speed zone cameras near Alpac Elementary School on November 12, 2026. - The cameras use photo enforcement technology from NovoaGlobal. - The school zone system begins with a 30-day warning period before monetary penalties are issued. - The city said the expansion is part of its broader automated traffic safety camera program.

The details: - The cameras will monitor two locations near Alpac Elementary School: - 100 Block of Milwaukee Boulevard N, northbound. - 300 Block of Milwaukee Boulevard N, southbound. - During the first 30 days, drivers who exceed the enforcement threshold will receive a warning notice by mail marked “WARNING.” - After the warning period, verified speeding violations will trigger payable Notices of Infraction. - Under City of Pacific Ordinance No. 2024-2092 and Pacific Municipal Code Chapter 10.70, school speed zone fines are set at: - 6–9 mph over the posted speed limit: $200. - 10 mph or more over the posted speed limit: $290. - The violations are civil infractions and will not be reported to insurance companies or added to a driver’s record. - Traffic studies and location analyses conducted under Washington State law, RCW 46.63.220, identified the need for stronger traffic safety measures in designated school and public park speed zones. - Authorized City personnel will review and verify all potential violations before a Notice of Infraction is issued. - The automated system captures photos and videos of vehicles exceeding the speed limit in designated school speed zones. - Photo and video evidence for recorded violations will be available online at review site. - More information about the city program is available on Pacific's automated traffic safety camera program page.

Between the lines: - The city is using a warning-first approach to ease drivers into the new enforcement area before fines begin. - The partnership with NovoaGlobal extends Pacific's use of automated enforcement as a traffic safety tool, not just a punishment mechanism. - By keeping violations civil and off insurance records, the city is framing the program as a safety measure rather than a criminal enforcement action.

What's next: - Drivers in the school zone will receive warnings for the first 30 days. - After that period, the city will begin issuing fines for verified violations. - Pacific is likely to keep building out automated enforcement if the new cameras reduce speeding near schools and other high-risk areas.

The bottom line: - Pacific is adding speed cameras near Alpac Elementary School to slow traffic, protect students and move from warnings to fines after a one-month grace period.