The Cookout

[Terrymist]

View attachment VID-20240516-WA0003.mp4
Thoughts?

 

[RCNAL]

in pretty much every jurisdiction, car and traffic fines are in reality a hidden tax. When cities started going broke in the '80s and 90s, they needed revenue obviously. You can only raise taxes directly so much before a revolt. So they went the hidden tax route. Parking meter cost and fines have gone up way past inflation. They either make some forms a fee that were otherwise free before or raise the fees on forms with a price. Marriage licenses, death certificates, elevating simple misdemeanors and other things in severity with a fee assessment, etc.

Parking infractions are a huge money maker. Also, the police, especially in medium to large cities are expected to be a revenue source. They bring in millions. The monies go into the general fund where the mayor and city council can use if for anything they want because it has no exact designated use. Property taxes towards education for example. Technically they can't be used to build a road. But traffic fines can be used for anything.

Eventually technology and a need will find a way around this. There were guys back in the day who you could pay to find a way to get the tire boot off. Someone will find a flaw in this one. I'm all for punishing folks who park in handicap or a fire zone but these days the cities go overboard on citizens.

 

[Terrymist]

in pretty much every jurisdiction, car and traffic fines are in reality a hidden tax. When cities started going broke in the '80s and 90s, they needed revenue obviously. You can only raise taxes directly so much before a revolt. So they went the hidden tax route. Parking meter cost and fines have gone up way past inflation. They either make some forms a fee that were otherwise free before or raise the fees on forms with a price. Marriage licenses, death certificates, elevating simple misdemeanors and other things in severity with a fee assessment, etc.

Parking infractions are a huge money maker. Also, the police, especially in medium to large cities are expected to be a revenue source. They bring in millions. The monies go into the general fund where the mayor and city council can use if for anything they want because it has no exact designated use. Property taxes towards education for example. Technically they can't be used to build a road. But traffic fines can be used for anything.

Eventually technology and a need will find a way around this. There were guys back in the day who you could pay to find a way to get the tire boot off. Someone will find a flaw in this one. I'm all for punishing folks who park in handicap or a fire zone but these days the cities go overboard on citizens.

Will be interesting to see if this technology is rolled out nationwide. Also, if this will be picked up internationally, if not so already.