Onondaga County is deploying automated stop-arm cameras on school buses across six districts, leveraging a 2019 state law to enhance child safety. The program, managed by private vendor Verra Mobility, automatically photographs and tickets drivers who illegally pass stopped buses, with fines starting at $250. While officials, including the County Executive, state the goal is behavior change rather than revenue, the system is entirely funded by fines, with surplus money directed to the county’s general fund. This creates a direct financial incentive for ticketing. Verra Mobility claims a 98% non-reoffense rate for ticketed drivers, a statistic used to justify the program’s expansion. The move reflects a statewide trend, with other New York counties and cities reporting tens of thousands of similar violations annually, highlighting the scale of both the safety issue and the potential revenue stream.