After recording more than 3,000 speeding violations during a 30-day warning period, Fort Walton Beach will begin issuing citations from its new school zone speed cameras starting Wednesday.

• The Fort Walton Beach Police Department reported that some drivers were caught traveling more than 60 mph in school zones where speed limits are set at 15 or 20 mph during the educational phase that began April 1.

“Let’s prioritize the safety of our students. SLOW DOWN. Obey posted limits,” the police department stated in a social media announcement Monday.

The city will begin issuing citations May 7 under Florida State Statute 316.1896, which authorizes automated enforcement of school zone speed limits. The camera systems were installed at nine schools throughout Fort Walton Beach after the City Council unanimously approved the program in January.

• Each citation carries a $100 fine with no points added to driving records. Revenue will be split among several entities, with $39 going to the city, $21 to the vendor RedSpeed USA, $12 to the school board, $5 to crossing guard programs, $3 for law enforcement training, and $20 to state general revenue.

Unlike traditional school zone enforcement that operates only during arrival and dismissal times, the cameras will monitor speeds throughout the entire school day. The enforcement system will be active 30 minutes before school starts and 30 minutes after school dismissal. It will not operate on weekends, holidays, summer break, or other times when school is not in session.

• During school zone hours when beacons are flashing, tickets will be issued at 26 mph in 15 mph zones and 36 mph in 25 mph zones. Outside beacon times but during school hours, citations will be based on the regular posted speed limit plus 11 mph.

Police Chief Robert Bage previously expressed hope that the warning period would be sufficient to change driver behavior.

“We would hope that we don’t write the first speeding ticket,” Bage said at the January council meeting. “I would hope that during the warning period and the educational period, when people know that there’s a repercussion for speeding through the school zones, that nobody speeds through a school.”