A company linked to New York City Mayor Eric Adams is involved in a pilot program testing cameras on school buses to catch drivers passing stopped buses. The company, BusPatrol, is run by a former high-ranking official in the mayor’s office. Federal agents recently seized phones of individuals tied to the mayor’s inner circle as part of an investigation. The pilot program has been deemed successful and is expanding, but concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest and the revolving door between government and private business. The company has denied any improper lobbying or interactions with the city. The situation is part of a broader investigation into contracts and pilot programs involving companies associated with individuals close to the mayor.
School Bus Safety Cameras: The Story Behind NYC’s Pilot Program
Learn about the latest pilot program in New York City testing cameras on school buses and the controversy surrounding the companies involved.
When New York City decided to test cameras on school buses to enhance safety measures, they selected two vendors to pilot the technology. One of the vendors was Verra Mobility, a reputable smart transportation company from Arizona known for its collaboration with the city’s Transportation Department. The other vendor was BusPatrol, a Florida-based company founded by Justin Meyers, a former high-ranking official in Mayor Eric Adams’ office.
BusPatrol’s president, Justin Meyers, previously served as Chief of Staff to Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Phil Banks before joining BusPatrol. The company’s involvement in the pilot program came to light during a City Council hearing on school bus service, where officials showcased the cameras mounted on school bus stop arms that capture license plates of vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses. The pilot program, initiated with 30 buses, proved successful, leading to an expansion to 250 buses.
City officials announced that the pilot program was conducted in collaboration with NYCSBUS, a nonprofit bus operator working with the city. Although the exact start date of the pilot remains undisclosed, James Sarkis, the Executive Director of contract operations in the city’s Office of Pupil Transportation, confirmed the expansion based on the program’s success.
During his tenure at City Hall, Justin Meyers was actively involved in implementing new technologies to support law enforcement initiatives, such as the unsuccessful pilot for a robot patrol at the Times Square subway station. As the program expands, officials plan to solicit new bids from companies interested in participating.
A spokesperson for BusPatrol clarified that Justin Meyers did not engage in lobbying activities with the City of New York regarding the pilot program or the expansion. The company emphasized compliance with city lobbying regulations and confirmed no existing contract or agreement with the city. Despite this, records show meetings between Chancellor Banks and Justin Meyers post the latter’s transition to BusPatrol.
Ethical guidelines restrict former high-ranking officials from representing private businesses before their former agencies for one year after leaving office. However, officials associated with the mayor’s office may interact with other city agencies on behalf of private entities, according to John Kaehny, the Executive Director of Reinvent Albany.
The reported scrutiny by federal investigators on contracts and pilot programs involving companies linked to the Banks brothers has spurred concerns among lawmakers and ethics watchdogs. Council member Lincoln Restler introduced legislation to prevent former mayor’s office officials from engaging with city agencies post their tenure to curb potential conflicts of interest.
BusPatrol, a prominent player in school bus safety solutions with clients nationwide, offers AI-powered cameras to capture license plate data of vehicles violating school bus stop laws. Justin Meyers highlighted the company’s success rate in reducing illegal bus passes by approximately 40% in partnership with over 450 school districts.
In conclusion, the pilot program testing school bus safety cameras in NYC has garnered attention due to the involvement of BusPatrol and its ties to former high-ranking city officials. As the program expands, transparency and adherence to ethical standards remain crucial to maintain public trust and ensure the safety of students commuting on school buses.
Source: TheCity.NYC
