FORT WORTH, Texas – Tarrant County is using the power of persuasion to get folks to pay their red light camera fines.
Residents who don’t pay their citation fines will technically be labeled a scofflaw when they try to get their vehicle registered with the county.
County tax collector Betsy Price said the term scofflaw will physically appear on the vehicle registration paperwork.
“Then we tell them you have a scofflaw comment. We can’t register your vehicle until you pay that fine,” she said.
But since the county is not officially responsible for collecting the fine, it’s only a respectful request and friendly suggestion.
“And if they dispute it then we’ll say we prefer that you pay the ticket. But if they continue to dispute it we will issue them their registration. We’ll just take the name and address and we’ll advise the city that we’ve registered the vehicle on a dispute,” Price said.
Last February, Dallas County implemented a stricter policy. County tax assessor John Ames said since then more than 700 people have been prevented from getting their vehicle registered. Thousands more paid their fines first.
Austin and El Paso also have similar policies.
There are legal questions from some. Some attorneys label what the counties are doing as official coercion. Others say it’s just wrong.
“Well it’s wrong. It’s using the system to bully you saying you’re not going to get it. Other stores can’t use that same option,” said resident Joe Brandon.
So far Price said most people are nice about it. The initiative is working, she said.
“Well one way or another they got to get paid or get them resolved so I’m fine with it,” said resident David Kirk.
Victoria Wise agrees.
“If you do the violation, then you need to pay for the fines. So if that’s the way they’re going to do it then that’s probably the best and most expedient way you’re going to get it,” she said.
