Sewage And Water Utilities Might Be Shut Off For Unpaid Red Light Tickets In NM

[malq]

Residents of one New Mexico city are in danger of having their utilities shut off if they don't pay tickets for running red lights.

The city of Las Cruces is considering cutting off the water and sewer utilities of its customers with outstanding tickets in the wake of a $2-million deficit in fine revenue, according to ABC News.

When city officials began exploring options to make up for the loss, they found a section in the city municipal code that reads, "The city may decline, fail or cease to furnish utility service to any person who may be in debt to the city for any reason, except ad valorem taxes and special assessments," the station reported.

A spokesman in the city's public information office declined to comment to The Huffington Post. But city officials reportedly sent out warning letters to residents recently threatening that they might get cut of from the water and sewer lines.
"You are hereby advised that, unless the [red light camera] fines are paid or other satisfactory payment arrangements are made with the City on or before (date) the City will terminate all current City-provided utility service to the residence," an example letter reads. The option is being explored because the city can't take its drivers to court over violations -- the only enforcement they seem to have is the utility plan

The can't shut off electricity because they don't own that. How do they shut off sewer? there is no valve.
Just because they have poor budgeting, they have to get all gansta on the peeps. That is bullshit.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...ref=weird-news

[cubby]

Sewerage services are included in the water, if you have no water you have no sewerage cause you have nothing to go down the drains.

In my city sewerage was billed at 1.5 times the water, all inclusive. Isn't that a crock cause all the water you use doesn't go down the drain, sometimes you are watering outside or filling kiddie pools but that's what they did.

[malq]

Sewerage services are included in the water, if you have no water you have no sewerage cause you have nothing to go down the drains.

In my city sewerage was billed at 1.5 times the water, all inclusive. Isn't that a crock cause all the water you use doesn't go down the drain, sometimes you are watering outside or filling kiddie pools but that's what they did.

Right, I see. Thanks cubby , now water no sewer unless you just let the toilets fill with crap till overflow. You know people will do it. People without money or resources. It seems like a hostage move.

My problem is they are using basic services, which you already pay for, as leverage to gain payment on something else. these are services that people need to survive and stay healthy.
This is a slippery slope. Using their logic, they can take the land your house is on as payment. Or your car you pay registration for. Anything connected to government they can seize. That's almost everything if you think about it. There will always be non-collected monies in fees and taxation. that is budgeted in. they obviously overspent. That is the real problem. The widespread ramifications are is every city will pick up on it.

I do not live anywhere near NM btw, I just have an issue with the abuse of power.

[TheMorningStar]

Right, I see. Thanks cubby , now water no sewer unless you just let the toilets fill with crap till overflow. You know people will do it. People without money or resources. It seems like a hostage move.

My problem is they are using basic services, which you already pay for, as leverage to gain payment on something else. these are services that people need to survive and stay healthy.
This is a slippery slope. Using their logic, they can take the land your house is on as payment. Or your car you pay registration for. Anything connected to government they can seize. That's almost everything if you think about it. There will always be non-collected monies in fees and taxation. that is budgeted in. they obviously overspent. That is the real problem. The widespread ramifications are is every city will pick up on it.

I do not live anywhere near NM btw, I just have an issue with the abuse of power.

Close.
They just take your car's registration away.
Again here, the witness is a camera - yea the toll baskets that cause the camera to take the picture of your license plate always register your payment properly - suuuuuuure. On top of that, you cannot face your accuser in court. Nice.
Keep in mind the $1k in unpaid tolls and fees they speak of includes a $50 charge for every time their basket miscounts your 35 cents!

Highway officials in New Jersey are moving forward with their crackdown on chronic toll cheats. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority agreed Wednesday to pay the state Motor Vehicles Commission up to $35,000 to process vehicle registration suspensions for drivers who owe more than $1,000 in unpaid tolls and fees. It comes just weeks after the authority posted the names of its top toll violators on its website.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/201..._to_pay_m.html