Utilities for Unpaid Offenders Shut Off: What You Need to Know

 

In a growing trend across the United States, several cities and utility companies are implementing policies that allow them to shut off essential services, such as water, electricity, and gas, for individuals who fail to pay fines related to traffic violations, including red light and speed camera tickets. This controversial practice raises important questions about the balance between enforcing traffic laws and ensuring access to essential services. Here’s what you need to know about these policies and their implications for offenders.

Why Are Utilities Shut Off for Unpaid Offenders?

The rationale behind shutting off utilities for unpaid offenders centers on several key factors:

1. Revenue Generation: Municipalities often face budget constraints, and unpaid fines can significantly impact their financial health. Shutting off utilities serves as a method to collect outstanding debts.

2. Encouraging Compliance: By threatening essential services, cities hope to encourage offenders to pay their fines promptly and deter future violations. The idea is that the potential loss of utilities will motivate individuals to fulfill their financial obligations.

3. Addressing Public Safety: Some argue that ensuring compliance with traffic laws through stricter penalties, including utility shutoffs, enhances overall public safety. The rationale is that enforcing consequences for violations can lead to more responsible driving behavior.

The Controversy Surrounding Utility Shutoffs

While the policies may be intended to improve compliance and generate revenue, they are not without controversy. Key concerns include:

1. Impact on Vulnerable Populations: Shutting off utilities can disproportionately affect low-income individuals and families who may already be struggling to make ends meet. Losing access to water or electricity can create significant hardships, including health and safety risks.

2. Legal and Ethical Questions: Critics argue that punishing individuals for unpaid fines by cutting off essential services raises ethical questions. Is it fair to deny basic necessities as a means of enforcing traffic laws? Additionally, legal challenges may arise regarding the legality of such practices.

3. Ineffective Deterrence: Some studies suggest that harsh penalties, such as utility shutoffs, may not effectively deter future violations. Offenders might simply accumulate more debt rather than changing their behavior.

What Offenders Should Know

If you are facing unpaid fines that could lead to utility shutoffs, here are some steps to consider:

1. Address the Fines Promptly: If you receive a ticket, it’s crucial to address it as soon as possible. Ignoring the issue can lead to increased fines, additional penalties, and potential utility shutoffs.

2. Explore Payment Plans: Many jurisdictions offer payment plans or hardship programs for individuals struggling to pay fines. Contact the issuing authority to discuss your options.

3. Stay Informed About Local Policies: Keep abreast of local policies regarding unpaid fines and utility shutoffs. This will help you understand your rights and responsibilities.

4. Seek Legal Advice: If you believe that a utility shutoff is unfair or unlawful, consider consulting a legal expert. They can help you navigate the legal landscape and explore options for contesting fines or avoiding utility shutoffs.

Conclusion

The practice of shutting off utilities for unpaid traffic violations is a growing trend that raises important questions about fairness, legality, and public safety. While municipalities seek to enforce compliance and generate revenue, it’s crucial to consider the implications for vulnerable populations and the potential ineffectiveness of such measures. For individuals facing unpaid fines, addressing the issue promptly and exploring available options can help prevent severe consequences, including utility shutoff.

Where Are Albuquerque Speed Cameras & How Much Are Fines?

What are the fines, and how much do they cost?

The fee is $100 and can be paid by cheque, money order, or credit card. According to the website's sample citation, there is a $6.95 cost for online and telephone payments.

What if I'm unable to pay?

Instead, you can perform four hours of community service.

What happens if I don't follow my citation?

Debt collection will be enforced by the city. While automated traffic citations do not appear on your credit report, they will be sent to collections.

Where are they?

See our Albuquerque, New Mexico Traffic, Red Light Camera & Speed Cameras Map   

In addition to the two cameras on Gibson and one on Montgomery, the city plans to install three more cameras. Next up are Lead, Coal, and Unser, though the exact places have yet to be established, according to a municipal spokesperson. The placement of seven fixed (like Gibson) and three mobile (like Montgomery) units is based on traffic and crash statistics as well as community feedback.

For almost a month, the city of Albuquerque has been issuing speeding tickets to drivers caught speeding on the eastbound and westbound Gibson at Carlisle, as well as the eastbound Montgomery between Wyoming and Eubank.

Who are they photographing?

Only speeding vehicles are allowed - no other vehicles are allowed. "The units do not gather information about photos of passing vehicles that are not above the enforcement speed," according to a frequently-asked-questions page on the city website, cabq.gov.

Is my insurance or driver's license affected by the ticket?

No. It's a civil penalty.

There are a number of cautionary statements.

Between April 25 and May 19, the cameras issued almost 2,000 warnings to cars that blew by them, according to the Albuquerque Police Department.

However, this does not imply that only 2,000 drivers were detected speeding.

Indeed, according to APD, all 917,036 vehicles that passed through the three enforcement areas had posted 40 mph speed limits:

• 756,013, 82%, were going 1 mph or more over the posted limit,

• 187,849, 21%, were going 11 mph or more over the posted limit, and

• 32 were going 60 mph or more over the posted limit – meaning 100 mph or faster.

APD evaluated and sent 2,192 warnings to registered vehicle owners, as well as a random sampling of the most egregious violators (the 100 mph or over folks).

The Automated Speed Enforcement system will begin issuing penalties and warnings for lower-level speeders on Wednesday.

The cameras, according to APD officials, are a force multiplier, which means police are freed up to handle traffic enforcement in other locations while focusing on violent crime. Officers wrote 3,590 traffic penalties in the same one-month period, according to APD, including 876 for speeding and 17 for racing.

Albuquerque, New Mexico Starts Automated Speed Enforcement

Map of Albuquerque Red Light Cameras

The City of Albuquerque, New Mexico begins its speed camera program to encourage safe driving on dangerous roads throughout the City. NovoaGlobal, Inc. is working with City officials to install advanced photo enforcement cameras where the most dangerous speeding occurs. The speed camera enforcement program will begin with a 30-day warning period beginning April 25, 2022. This will give motorists time to change their driving habits before payable notices of violation begin with a fine of $100.

The program will start with three devices in place, with more coming online throughout the coming months, eventually totaling ten systems across the city. Device locations will be determined by speed and incident data, as well as community feedback.

Vendor NovoaGlobal will begin enforcement soon in Albuquerque. The advanced technology is not only saving lives in cities across the US but also providing law enforcement with investigative tools to catch criminals.

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), more than 9,000 deaths — 26 percent of all crash fatalities — occurred in speed-related crashes in 2019. Crashes are more likely at high speeds because it takes longer to stop or slow down. High speeds also make collisions more deadly because crash energy increases exponentially as speeds go up.

The monitoring system captures photos and videos of vehicles that speed. If a driver speeds, the driver receives a Notice of Violation from the Albuquerque Police Department sent to the car’s registered owner. Photo evidence will be on the Notice of Violation and all photo and video evidence will be available online at zerofatality.com for the driver to review.

“Speeding is a preventable cause of deadly collisions and life-altering injuries,” said Carlos Lofstedt, President and CEO of NovoaGlobal. “We look forward to changing driving habits in Albuquerque using our latest technology to educate road users, enforce traffic laws, creating a safer community for Albuquerque’s families and visitors.”

Albuquerque, New Meixco Red Light Cameras Turned Off

Albuquerque, New Mexico wants to keep the cameras operating but needs a new company to run the cameras.  The cameras will go dark at midnight temporarily and will not site motorists for speed violations during this period.  The city is looking for a new red light camera operator as it recently let the contract with Redflex expire. The cameras were operating on a $30,000 per month deficit. It's not surprising the camera contracts needed to be restructured.  Here is a photo above protesting the use of Redflex as a management company and encouraging the hiring of more policemen.  Seems like a worthy proposal in our recession. The city also said it wants to now operate the cameras with full public disclosure.  Why start now?

Also, here is a study that shows how the Albuquerque cameras actually Increased Accidents. 

See this new video below covering the story from KRQE News 13 and some words from the Mayor.