Colorado town relies on traffic fines

One of the flashpoints in Ferguson, Missouri a few years ago was heavy traffic enforcement designed to raise revenue for the small town’s budget. A similar situation can be found in Morrison, Colorado, as reported here. Nearly half the town’s 2021 budget of $2.6 million was forecast to come from traffic fines. Earlier this month the police chief resigned after notifying town officials that traffic fine revenue was likely to fall $800,000 short. The problem is not a new one — the previous chief, who resigned last year, said “The entire budget was based on traffic tickets. Ethically, I could not do that.” Earlier this year, consultants recommended that the town disband its department and rely on the county sheriff, but so far that suggestion has not been adopted.

Tags: Colorado