863 CHAT

02/25/2026

Facts from the source!

Warnings for the School Zone Speed Camera Enforcement Program are in circulation. As the City transitions toward live citation enforcement, motorists are encouraged to review the following important information.

How the cameras operate:
- Cameras only record and enforce speed violations while school is in session. Motorists must follow posted school zone speed limits when school zone lights are flashing. *See school zone times below*

- Cameras enforce the normal posted speed limit when flashing lights are off but school is still in session.

- Cameras are no longer enforcing once school has ended for the day and flashing lights are off.

- Cameras do not record or enforce during school holidays or after early release times.

What the system records:
- Date, time, location, vehicle speed, and license plate number

- The system can capture up to 25 vehicles per second and is lane-specific

- The Lake Wales Police Department receives a three-second video clip and five photos of the rear of the vehicle for review

Citation details:
- Citations include the posted speed, recorded vehicle speed, date, time, lane of travel, vehicle information, photos, and all required legal information

- Each violation carries a $100 fine

- No points are assessed to the driver’s license

- If the registered owner was not the driver, responsibility may be transferred by affidavit

- Unpaid citations will convert to a Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC). UTCs carry higher fines and points assessed to the driver's license.

School zone times:
- Hillcrest Elementary: 7:15am - 8:45am | 2:45pm - 3:45pm
Early Release: 12:15pm - 1:15pm

- Lake Wales High School: 6:15am - 8:00am | 1:55pm - 2:55pm
Early Release: 12:25pm - 1:30pm

- McLaughlin School of Excellence: 6:15am - 7:30am | 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Early Release: 11am - 12pm

Hillcrest Elementary 30-Day warning period began on January 14 for Eastbound and Westbound State Road 60. Last day of warnings will be Thursday, February 26, with citations going live on Friday, February 27. Lake Wales High School began on February 4 for Eastbound and Westbound Burns Avenue. Last day of warnings will be Friday, March 13, with citations going live on Monday, March 23 due to Spring Break.

For assistance or clarification, visit the Lake Wales Police Department at 133 E Tillman Avenue, Lake Wales, FL 33853.

02/24/2026

Save the date. Things to remember.

It’s clean up time! Round up the junk from your garage, back yard, or attic - get it to the curb before 6am on Saturday, March 7th.

Here is your chance to place general junk, mattresses/box springs, furniture, tires (4 per household, without rims), and appliances (White Goods) at your curbside.

How to Participate:
1) Place materials at your street curb before 6am on Saturday, March 7th. Do not place materials at the curb two days before the scheduled cleanup day.

2) No Hazardous waste items (paint, batteries, chemicals or solvents, no asbestos items, motor oil, or antifreeze).

3) No Construction Debris: (fence materials, remodel materials).

4) No food waste.

5) Please do not attempt to help the cleanup crew load your materials.

6) Remember to always take recyclable items to your local community charity organization.

02/17/2026

Things that we never talk about but know...

02/12/2026

In case you missed it...

01/14/2026

Looking for events to honor Dr. King’s life and legacy of unity? In Lake Wales, join the activities planned to commemorate the holiday:

Thursday, January 15th: Community Unity Pot Luck at First Institutional Missionary Baptist Church 6pm

Friday, January 16th: Oratorical Contest at James P. Austin Community Center at 6pm

Saturday, January 17th: Community Unity Walk starting at Kiwanis Park at 8:30am, Wellness Expo at James P. Austin Community Center at 10am

Sunday, January 18th: Gospel Extravaganza at First Institutional Missionary Baptist Church at 4pm

Monday, January 19th: Breakfast Mingle at James P. Austin Community Center at 8:30am, MLK Parade at 3pm, and Commemorative Celebration at 5pm

For more information, head to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation of Lake Wales Inc.

 The countdown has begun! Join us for the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend in Lake Wales as we come together to honor Dr. King’s legacy with a weekend of celebration, reflection, and service. It’s just around the corner—don’t miss out on this meaningful event!  

01/11/2026

Community things to know. 🌟

The City of Lake Wales will launch its School Zone Speed Camera Enforcement program on January 14. The program will begin at Hillcrest Elementary, with cameras monitoring traffic eastbound and westbound on State Road 60.

A 30-day grace period will commence on Wednesday, January 14. During this time, violators will receive a written warning instead of a citation. The grace period consists of 30 active school days, including half-days. After the grace period concludes, full enforcement will begin and citations will be issued. Each violation will result in a $100 fine with no points being assessed to the driver's license. Money from the fines will be distributed to school crossing guard programs, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, State of Florida, and the City of Lake Wales.

Enforcement will begin approximately 15 minutes before school starts and will run throughout the school day until 15 minutes after school ends. After the school day is over, the cameras will no longer be active. Motorists are encouraged to follow the posted speed limits when school zone lights are flashing. Cameras will also enforce the normal posted speed limit during the school day while the flashing lights are off.

When a violation occurs, the system records the date, time, location, vehicle speed and license plate number. A citation will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle and will include images of the violation and documented speed. All citations will be reviewed and approved by a Lake Wales Police Officer before being issued.

School zones to be enforced:
Hillcrest Elementary - Eastbound and Westbound on State Road 60
Lake Wales High School - Eastbound and Westbound on Burns Avenue
McLaughlin School of Excellence - Northbound and Southbound on Scenic Highway between Domaris Avenue and Winston Avenue

Start dates for additional school zones will be announced once permitting and system installations are complete.

12/31/2025

Little Lake Wales has its secrets. Shhhhhhhh! 💓