Posted on 03/05/2012 7:32:33 AM PST by Altariel
When it comes to paying for tickets generated by New Orleans' traffic cameras, some of the biggest scofflaws are city employees driving taxpayer-financed vehicles. As of September 2011, at least 400 city vehicles had racked up fines totaling $547,580, according to records provided by City Hall in response to a public-records request.
And five of the 20 vehicles that owe the city the most money are city vehicles, the records show.
All that is about to change. But not before the slate is wiped clean, said Andy Kopplin, chief administrative officer to Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
Kopplin said he doesn't think it would be fair to try to go after employees who have racked up tickets because the city has not spelled out clear rules thus far.
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
“Some animals are more equal than others.”
‘It said NOPD officers — who comprise a large number of the ticket recipients — must pay traffic-camera tickets unless the officer was responding to a call for service.
But because many officers had been operating under informal guidance that such tickets didn’t have to be paid, and because it’s difficult to sort out which tickets were received before the policy was clarified, the city decided to forgive all tickets to date, Kopplin said.’
Wow, thats interesting. More entitlement mentality from the Thin Skinned Line. Here I thought traffic laws were about safety. Silly me!
If the city employees don’t have to pay them, I don’t see why I should have to pay the tickets either.
Goose - gander.
Who wants to bet that New Orleans sees a steep drop in ticket revenue?
Well, cameras are racist.............
“If the city employees dont have to pay them, I dont see why I should have to pay the tickets either.”
Time for a class action lawsuit on the part of the citizen violators. NOLA evidently doesn’t know about “equal protection.”
Government workers do not pay fines, Comrade, only the proletariat.
Discrimination.
Democrats...
What law gives them the authority to decide who has to go through the legal process?
Make the ticket recipients go through the court system - if they are not guilty, then no fine - just like the rest of us.
The NOPD officers involved should be called before the court for the offense, just as everyone else. Surely, there must be records of times and dates that officers were responding to calls for service. It shouldn't be too hard to access the database and screen out those where verified written reports exist detailing a response call. Let the court make the determination as to whether the fine should be paid or not.
If all of these officers at least had to make an appearance in traffic court (or pay the fines), that should get their attention.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.