We thought you might be interested to read SBF Publisher Frank Di Giacomo's column from our October 2011 issue on video surveillance cameras inside school buses:
My camera was my best friend on the school bus. Was with me over a decade and half after suing some parents that attacked my character and damaged my relationship with my employer. Had a camera been installed the suit and all the years of grief involved for everyone may have been avoided. Every bus in our fleet is now equipped with a working camera, a budget strain that had too happen after I won the largest school bus driver civil suit settlement in my state at that time.
Would be done with my comment, except must address in the article using the camera to charge the bus driver with felony child neglect, for not breaking-up a fight. More about that in the comments area of this thread's article: Click here for link to story. (jk)
Here is a most recent story where bus driver felony child neglect might actually apply. Video captured from a school bus surveillance camera appears to show an adult woman kicking and hitting a young boy. Attorneys say the women is Mary Alice Evans, a former Bedford County teacher's aide. The child is Timothy Kilpatrick, an autistic boy.
Bedford family alleges abuse of autistic child in $20 million lawsuit
Oct 6 2011, WTVR CBS 6 NEWS BEDFORD, Va. — According to the lawsuit, a 14-year-old autistic boy was attacked on his school bus by people who were supposed to protect him. (jk)
Report: 2010 school bus related deaths - Updated 10-05-2011 A useful document when wanting a quick reference to deaths while discussing bus stop safety and when looking at updating school bus safety policies. Click here for pdf download. Updated, October 2011.