Roseville Police Giving Fewer Tickets, More Warnings
ROSEVILLE, Calif. (CBS13) -- Motorists in many cities have complained that police departments have turned to traffic tickets to raise revenue during the down economy, but the Roseville Police Department is heading in the exact opposite direction.
Officers are still stepping up enforcement and handing out tickets on roads that see high numbers of accidents or speeders, but drivers who are pulled over on less problematic stretches of roadways are much more likely to receive a warning.
Nearly four out of five drivers who are pulled over in Roseville get a break instead of a costly fine.
"We want to focus our attention on problem areas," said Roseville Police Lt. Michael Doane.
From December 2009 to February 2010, Roseville officers made nearly 7,000 traffic stops and handed out tickets to nearly half of the drivers. In the same time period this year, just 4,000 drivers were pulled over and 78 percent received a warning.
Department spokespersons say they understand that everyone is hurting, and they hope to keep roadways safe without causing more pain to local residents.
"Times are tough," said Officer Dave Alfonso. "You get cited for a speeding ticket [and] you're paying $300."
Authorities say the money made from extra tickets wouldn't put a significant dent in the city's current budget problems.
New technology also allows officers to tell whether a driver has received a warning in the past. Repeat offenders are unlikely to escape with repeat warnings, officials said.
