NYPD Ticket Fixing Scandal May Mean "More Carnage On The Streets," Advocates Say
The ticket fixing scandal and a resulting crackdown by the NYPD has caused an major side effect: police officers are writing fewer tickets, a fact that has transportation advocates concerned that the slowdown will cause "more carnage on the streets."
NYPD Internal Affairs personnel are closely monitoring ticket-writing by officers to the point where they are actually observing traffic court proceedings, and handing out 10 day suspensions to officers who fail to properly fill out the summonses.
The response from the rank-and-file has been to turn more conservative about the tickets they do write to the tune of 7,000 fewer summons through the last week of July compared to last year, costing the city more than $1 million.
"This is more than a matter of dollars and cents; this is a matter of life and death," said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "When officers don't enforce the law, it gives drivers the clear signal to flaunt it. Whether it's speeding,
red light running or double parking, these violations make roads more dangerous, and we're sure to see more carnage on the streets. This foolishness between rank and file officers and the top cops is putting people in harm's way."
Write Comment
Email to Friend
Print Article
