September 1, 2025 | 2025-09 Issue

Miami Springs Police Department Announcement:

School Zone Speed Safety Cameras

Keeping Kids Safe: The Role of School Zone Speed Cameras

Every day, children across the country walk or ride their bikes to school, crossing busy intersections and navigating high-traffic areas. While school zones are clearly marked and equipped with lower speed limits, too often drivers fail to slow down—putting young lives at risk. That's where school zone speed cameras come into play.

What Are School Zone Speed Cameras?

School zone speed cameras are automated enforcement tools designed to detect and photograph vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit during designated school hours. These systems use sensors to identify speeding vehicles and capture images of the license plate. The registered owner then receives a violation by mail.

Which Schools Are Enforcing the Speed Cameras?

• Miami Springs Senior High School – Northbound & Southbound at N. Royal Poinciana Blvd.
• Miami Springs Senior High School – Northbound & Southbound at Lenape Drive
• Miami Springs Montessori School – Northbound & Southbound at Ludlam Drive
• Miami Springs Middle School – Northbound & Southbound at S. Royal Poinciana Blvd.
• Miami Springs Elementary School – Northbound & Southbound at S. Esplanade Drive
• Springview Elementary School – Northbound & Southbound at Ludlam Drive 

Why They Matter

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding is a factor in nearly one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. In school zones, where children are crossing streets and may not always be aware of traffic hazards, reducing vehicle speed is critical. Studies show that even a reduction of 5–10 mph can significantly decrease both the likelihood and severity of pedestrian accidents.

School speed cameras:

• Improve driver behavior through consistent enforcement
• Reduce crashes and near-misses in school zones
• Encourage safer school commutes for students and families

How the Program Works

Most school speed camera programs follow a structure like this:

• Violation Parameters: Tickets are issued if a driver exceeds the school zone speed limit by a specific margin— 11 mph or more over the speed limit, both during designated school hours and outside of them.
• Enforcement Times: Enforcement occurs 30 minutes before and after school starts and ends, and during any school-related activities or early dismissals.

School zone speed cameras are a modern solution to an age-old problem. By combining technology with public safety goals, these systems help ensure that school zones remain safe havens for the children who use them every day. Slowing down in school zones isn't just the law—it’s a shared responsibility that saves lives.

Building & Code Compliance Department Announcement:

Attention Miami Springs Commercial Business Owners;

Multi-Family - Associations

Sec. 93-10. – Location, accessibility, securing for safety and appearance of multi-family residential and commercial garbage and recycling receptacles and dumpsters. 

(F)      Appearance and maintenance standards.

1.    All exterior garbage and recycling container enclosures shall be required to comply with the following standards:

(a)  All exterior and interior walls and gates of both wood and masonry enclosures shall be painted in a color which is compatible with the color of the building or buildings it serves. Patchwork painting shall be prohibited.

(b)  Signage of any type or graffiti shall not be permitted on the walls and gates of any enclosure.

(c)   All enclosures shall be maintained in good condition and appearance at all times. Peeling, fading or chipped paint shall be restored; and, any structural damage shall be repaired.

(d)  Trash, garbage or recycling materials shall be kept in the container. At no time shall these materials be placed around the container or outside of the enclosure.

(e)  Enclosure gates shall be kept closed and secured, except when materials are being placed in the container or the container is serviced.

(f)   Multiple-family properties and commercial establishments that can be automated by utilizing garbage and recycling automated containers shall be required to maintain a landscaped enclosure area, subject to the visibility requirements of this section, adjacent to a driveway or roadway for collection by the automated truck.

Do I need a permit? 

In general, any maintenance and repairs under $500** can be done without a permit. However, there are exceptions as follows:

All Structural work must have a permit.

All Exterior Windows or Doors, new or replacement, must have a permit.

All Drywall work must have a permit.

All Stucco work must have a permit.

All Fascia must have a permit

All gutters must have a permit.

All Electric other than simple fixture change outs** must have a permit.

All Plumbing other than simple repairs (leaks, etc.) must have a permit. All plumbing fixture additions or replacements must have a permit.

All Mechanical/Air Conditioning work must have a permit. This would include any replacement of condensing units or air handlers and any addition of duct. For other maintenance such as cleaning coils or ducts, the $500 rule would apply.

All Roofing work valued at over $300** or 3 squares (3 squares=3oo square feet) must have a permit and any roofing with hot mop or structural must have a permit.

Replacing Kitchen Cabinets does require a permit. By the Electrical Code, if you replace cabinets you must upgrade the electric outlets to the current Code as to distance, number, GFI, etc. so a permit is required for that and for any CHANGE to the plumbing configuration. The cabinets themselves require a miscellaneous permit to inspect that the installation was done properly.

ALL fencing must have a permit.

Any fencing repairs where support posts or poles are replaced must have a permit. If only changing the chain link or wood panels and not changing the support posts, then the $500 rule applies.

ALL slabs, pavers, driveways, walkways or any other type of permanent ground covering must have a permit (including gravel driveways).

Water Restrictions

In Miami-Dade County, water restrictions are permanent and enforced year-round. These restrictions apply to users of any water source, including public utilities, private wells and any surface water body including canals and lakes. Residents can only water their lawns twice a week before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., 365 days a year. You may call 3-1-1 to report any water restriction violations and or for more information.

So when can I water my lawn?

You may water your lawn two days a week. The same rules apply to residences and businesses.

Please see watering schedule below: 

ODD-numbered home address (those that end in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are permitted on Wednesdays and Saturdays, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.

EVEN-numbered addresses (those ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8) are allowed on Thursdays and Sundays, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.

Choose one of the two “watering windows” — either morning or evening. It is not necessary to water your lawn twice a day – it’s wasteful and can be detrimental to your landscape.