Toledo going after unpaid red-light fines

9/29/2010

The city of Toledo will launch a month-long “targeted enforcement” of red-light-camera fines, beginning Friday, to collect more of the outstanding fines owed to the city.

Toledo's austere 2010 general fund budget includes collecting $1.2 million from unpaid red light and speed camera fines to help keep the books balanced.

Vehicles with two or more unpaid photo enforcement citations could be immobilized or towed, said Jen Sorgenfrei, Mayor Mike Bell's spokesman. Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. of Arizona operates the camera system for the city.

Under a law that took effect April 1, police are able to immobilize a vehicle after a fine has gone unpaid for 21 days. Having the apparatus removed will cost the owner $75 plus the outstanding fine. A boot is clamped onto a wheel to prevent the vehicle from being moved.

A vehicle can be towed after two or more outstanding violations of the photo enforcement devices. The tow would cost $125, and storage at the city tow lot would be billed at $15 a day.