Unfortunately, that was the case when Channel 7 WXYZ, an ABC affiliate, conducted an investigative report into the rampant traffic violations being handed out to drivers in the neighborhood. According to the news report, Officer David Kanapsky took home more than $86,000 in 2007 after adding the $21,000 of overtime pay for court appearances. This is absolutely appalling seeing as how the district court could even allowed such a scheme to carry on right under their nose. Do the judges and magistrates have anything to gain too?
Link to WXYZ's Article and Video Clip
Again, unfortunately and sadly - the answer is 'Yes'. Judges, magistrates, court employees and the entire district courts system are generally funded by Traffic and Ordinance Violations. This fact essentially tells us that before someone even walks into traffic court to fight a ticket, he/she is already at a disadvantage due to the 'money trail'. Think about it for a moment ..... in this economically challenging times, a city like Warren is losing residents, losing businesses, losing their tax base, and basically desperate for money.
However, every single day that goes by without putting a stop to such 'Tickets for Overtime' schemes, is another day of betraying the voters, taxpayers and citizens who are probably thinking of joining the exodus to greener pastures with honest, caring, responsible and better leadership who actually works for its constituents.
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