By Nicole Falco
The normally "aggressive" late penalties will be waived. Instead, the original ticket penalty plus a $10 surcharge will be the required payment to clear up village records. Anyone whose auto registration has been suspended after the issuance of more than three tickets will have to pay a $50 clearance surcharge. Scofflaws are those who have been issued six or more tickets.
The program to grant amnesty to those with delinquent tickets was adopted by the Village Board at its July 21 meeting and will be carried out by the Village Court and Justice Robert Bogle. The program will run from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, and includes tickets issued between July 31, 1997 and July 31, 2003, Bogle said.
As many as 30,000 notices will be mailed to those with delinquent tickets, according to Bogle. The judge said the village anticipates a return of slightly less than the $150,000 collected during its last amnesty program, in 1997.
Bogle said the amnesty gives the village the opportunity to clean up its records and ticket recipients the chance to pay a reduced fine, which can be a blessing in these tough economic times. Without amnesty, a $25 ticket issued in 2001 could cost the recipient more than $200 with late penalties.
While the need for an amnesty program may arise every few years, Bogle said that approximately 90 percent of tickets issued are paid within three months.
After Nov. 30, fines will be restored. According to Bogle, cars may be booted and arrest warrants may be issued for excessive violations.
