Paterson, N.J. Residents Furious Over Ticket Blitz To Solve City Budget Woes
PATERSON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- After weeks of friction between the council and city administrators over a tax levy, money troubles in Paterson, New Jersey have reached a boiling point.
As CBS2's Jessica Moore reported, the city council needs approval before it can send out property tax bills, but council members want major budget cuts. That could mean a ticket blitz that could hit drivers hard.
A Paterson Parking Authority officer was seen on Tuesday slapping a ticket on a car parked in a yellow zone. It is a scene that residents said is becoming all too common.
"Sometimes you park for two minutes just to buy food or something, and when you come out you have a ticket," said Ramon Rodriguez of Paterson.
The proposed ticketing blitz is part of the plan to supplement the newly-proposed city budget. But the people of Paterson say it isn't right.
"It's just wrong," said Alex Colon of Paterson. "They put themselves in the budget, so why should we pay and help them out?"
Colon said he thinks citizens are being punished, and he is not alone.
"Every ticket they get, they get money for it. That's what they do. That's what they want," added Samantha Canning of Paterson. "No. it's not fair, but we can't do nothing about it."
A source told CBS2 the proposed budget includes putting $3 million back into city coffers by issuing 3,000 tickets per year. That is roughly 80 per day, and people say officers are already going to great lengths to reach those numbers.
"We're getting tickets for everything now – everything," Colon said. "You could be walking down the street, or standing on the corner waiting for a taxi and you're going to get a ticket – loitering."
"Where are you supposed be able to drop off handicapped or people with infants?" said Sherelyn Diaz of Paterson. "It's getting to be ridiculous."
CBS2 reached out to the Paterson Mayor's office, city council and police department for comment. While no one would agree to go on camera, the Mayor's office did confirm the issue will be addressed at tonight's city council meeting.
The battle over the tax levy already led to 36 summer camps in Paterson closing early, It is not clear what other city services could be affected.
The city council was meeting Tuesday night to discuss and take a vote.
