Colorado Town Of 107 Residents Pays Its Yearly Budget Through Speeding Tickets

When it comes to speeding tickets and parking fines, most Americans know that the main drive behind the enforcement is to generate much-needed funds.

While that fact is no secret to most people, one small Colorado town has its 107 residents in an uproar over the fact that 93 percent of Campo’s revenue comes from traffic tickets and court fees.

Contrast that with a statewide average of 4 percent and you begin to understand that life as a Campo motorist is no bed of roses.

To compound the issue further, there is one notorious officer, Brad Viner, who hands out all the tickets and fines. He reportedly takes great pride in his work in law enforcement.

Viner even admitted as much to reporters, revealing unashamedly, “Yes, Campo thrives on tickets. Basically, the police department pays for the town.”

In another town, Mountain View, where 53 percent of revenue comes from traffic tickets and court fees, life is no joke for drivers. This especially rings true for a 23-year-old motorist who lost her job as a result of this practice.

Ashlee Lucero explained to reporters, “I was in jail for a whole day. A misunderstanding happens and they take me to court for it and I am still trying to pay for this ticket.”

Lucero explained that the original fine was for defective tires, but it soon spiraled out of proportion.

“The original fine was $80, but court and service fees were thrown in. From the beginning I owed $175, to $150, to $90. They just added on $10 dollars, so I’m back at $100. And they are still trying to take money out of my pocket,” Lucero said.

As a result of the warrant against her, Lucero lost her job, adding, “We’re back at my mom and dad’s house now because I lost everything.”

Many critics of the traffic enforcement methods in place in some states claim the whole thing is nothing more than a big money-making scam.

Denise Maes of the Colorado ACLU said, “You can’t have your town completely dominated by that kind of revenue and claim that it’s such a public safety risk. It’s a trap and it’s just to make money.”

[Image credit: westword.com]