Grand Rapids Public Schools Launches Stop-Arm Camera Safety Program to Increase Student Safety

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) is rolling out a new safety initiative that will transform how the district protects its students. Starting in April, all school buses in the district will be equipped with advanced stop-arm enforcement cameras designed to catch drivers who illegally pass stopped school vehicles.

The program addresses a significant safety challenge facing schools across Michigan.

"In Michigan, an estimated 2,200 vehicles pass stopped school buses every day," GRPS officials said. "That adds up to over 400,000 violations annually."

How the Program Works

GRPS is partnering with BusPatrol and Dean Transportation to install the cameras across the entire district fleet at no cost to the district. The system is designed to capture only those vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus when the stop arm is deployed and flashing red lights are active.

The enforcement process includes a five-week warning period before full penalties begin. During the initial phase, violators will receive warnings instead of fines. Full enforcement is scheduled to commence on April 27, 2026.

"The safety and well-being of our scholars is our top priority every day. Not just inside our schools, but everywhere our scholars go as part of their school day," GRPS Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby said. "By adding stop-arm safety technology to our buses, we are creating safer conditions for scholars during one of the most vulnerable moments of their day."

Michigan Law Requirements

Under Michigan state law, drivers must stop 20 feet from a school bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended. This requirement applies regardless of which direction traffic is traveling.

Violations can result in civil infractions with fines ranging from $100 to $500. In some cases, violators may also be required to perform up to 100 hours of community service at a school.

Police Perspective

GRPD interim police chief Joe Trigg supports the technology as an important tool for enforcement.

"Officers presence in that situation is enough of a deterrent that someone might not offend, where they wouldn't necessarily pay attention if there weren't an officer there," Trigg said. "So, this technology will enable us to kind of be everywhere at once and help to prevent that. It's a challenging thing to enforce, since we don't really have the manpower to have an officer following every school bus around all the time."

Sergeant Justin Ewald of the traffic unit at GRPD added that the cameras provide a level of enforcement that was previously impossible.

"Bringing some technology that is going to help bring some accountability to keep our kids safe is a no-brainer," Ewald said. "It's a good thing for our community and any other community that adopts it."

Bus Drivers Share Concerns

Stephen Narwold, a bus driver with GRPS for eight months, has witnessed violations firsthand. He estimates he has seen drivers fail to stop for school buses at least twice during his time on the job.

"While they're on the bus, I have a lot of control to keep them safe," Narwold said. "But as soon as they step off, all I can do is honk my horn, which doesn't communicate much, or hold up my hands and try to make eye contact and tell them to stop. But that only works when they're looking at me. As far as the drivers, I can't even signal to them. All I could do is stick my arm out the window, but I've already got a red flashing light over there. So, what's an arm going to do? All I would be able to do if that happened, I would just be a helpless spectator, and that's terrifying."

Historical Context

This is not the first Michigan school district to adopt stop-arm camera technology. Kalamazoo Public Schools added stop-arm cameras to 115 buses in 2023. The City of Dearborn installed similar cameras on their buses in 2025.

The technology was made available to law enforcement after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation in 2021 allowing agencies to use footage from school bus cameras to issue citations. Before that law, officers had to personally witness each infraction to issue a ticket.

What Violators Can Expect

When a driver receives a violation ticket, they will have the opportunity to review the stop-arm camera video footage to see what they did wrong. The system is designed to be fair and transparent, giving violators a chance to understand the specific behavior that led to the citation.

Safety Statistics

According to the Michigan State Police, the majority of bus-related deaths and injuries involve pedestrians - mostly children - who are struck by a bus or injured when exiting the bus to cross traffic. This makes the stop-arm camera program an important safety measure.

What's Next

The GRPS stop-arm camera program will begin with the five-week warning period starting immediately. Full enforcement with ticketing will begin on April 27, 2026.

The district will continue to monitor the program's effectiveness and may adjust enforcement procedures based on the data collected.

"The cameras are designed to only capture vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus and activate only when the bus's stop arm is deployed," GRPS officials explained. "When a driver receives a violation they will have the opportunity to review the stop arm camera video to see what they did."

Community Impact

This initiative represents another step forward in protecting students as they navigate the school day. By combining technology with traditional enforcement methods, GRPS is creating a safer environment for all students.

The program also serves as a model that other Michigan school districts may adopt. With the state police confirming that the majority of bus-related accidents involve pedestrians, especially children, the technology provides a crucial safety layer.