Brick PD to Switch to 'E-Ticketing'
Move will promote safety, productivity in department, chief says
Brick police officers will be safer and more productive once a new "e-ticketing" program is installed in township police cars.
Chief Nils R. Bergquist said the software, approved for purchase by the township council last month, will free up administrative staff and court staff, and help make traffic stops safer and significantly faster to complete.
The e-ticketing program is a combination of computer software, hardware and a server network that allows officers in their patrol cars to simply swipe a motorist's driver's license during a traffic stop instead of manually enter information into a computer system or radio to headquarters for a dispatcher to look up information.
Once a driver's license is swiped, information on the driver appears, including whether the driver has warrants. If the officer decides to issue a summons, the form is automatically populated and no handwriting is required.
"That certainly increases efficiency, but it also makes it safer for the motorist and the police officer because they spend so much less time off the road," said Bergquist, reducing the chance of an accident.
Additionally, he said, officers don't have to look down to access information and write summonses, leading to a greater awareness of surroundings and a higher level of personal safety.
"It is certainly the wave of the future," said Bergquist.
In addition to the benefits of e-ticketing in the field, Bergquist said the technology allows summons information to be automatically transmitted to the municipal and state court systems, freeing up the time administrative workers currently take to manually enter violation information.
"It's a very efficient and safe system," he said.
The measure passed a township council vote unanimously. The entire system will cost $275,000 which was allocated in the township's 2012 capital budget, said Business Administrator Scott Pezarras.
The resolution last month awarded the contract to New World Systems of Troy, Mich.
Councilman John Ducey agreed the move would create a new level of efficiency in the department.
"Currently, they have to manually write summonses," said Ducey, at a recent council meeting. "That takes a lot of time."
The systems should begin to be installed in township police cars soon.
Jersey Joe
10:35 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Now isn't that special? Yet another money-grabbing scheme brought to you by the town that installed those cameras at intersections. NICE!!!
What the article fails to mention is human nature. What cop won't issue a ticket after having scanned the license? It's now officially on the record that a traffic stop was made and the cop's discretion is virtually eliminated because of it. After all, he/she has a quota to maintain!
The irony of it all is that the new system will be paid for from the proceeds derived from the traffic camera tickets.
Just wondering if and when those cameras were calibrated as the law requires.
In case you ask, yeah, I got one while crossing Rte 70. My efforts in verifying the calibrations were thwarted by a lack of time as well as the morass required to get this info. So I paid the damned ticket because it's not reflected on my driving record..... I hope.
George Orwell would have loved this.
Ri-Brickulous!
12:55 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
I would like to see the hard data on these traffic cameras. Have accidents in these intersections decreased since they were installed? Have fender-benders increased? It should be easy to do a before/after comparison.
Keith
10:35 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Great. More tickets for more revenue.
Mike
12:17 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Stop being chronic complainers people! The way I look at it, don't do anything wrong and you won't get a ticket. I have been stopped by police for minor infractions a few times over the years and was always let off with a warning.
I'm glad this generates REVENUE . . . at this point we will need all the money we can get. A reckless driving ticket should be $1,000. Talking on your phone while driving too.
Betty Williams
7:03 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
I hope this finally puts a stop to this people who are texting and driving they are so dangerous. Everybody knows the ones who are doing it. They are the ones weaving all over the roads with their heads down most of the time instead of on the road. Most of the time you can see them almost hitting telephone poles. And don't get me started on how almost everybody has a cell phone to their ear at all times. We can balance the budget if we ticket all these offenders. I have a cell phone and have never use it while driving because there is nothing that important that I have to find out while I'm driving. What did we all do before cell phones? We waited till we got home to find out the news.
WMS826
7:03 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Great, another gadget and another software company makes out. Tickets were fill in the blank for a reason, because it took all of 10 seconds to write.
Now there is a yearly fee you pay on this, each summons the company gets a fee, and they stil need to print paper tickets and keep them for times when this system does not work.
Only one company in the state is allowed to pedal this software..only one....gee how do I get that contract.
Betty Williams
7:03 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Did you notice once again we are paying a lot of tax payers money to yet another out of state company. I wonder what political party they are affiliated with? When are we gonna start using New Jersey companies? It seems all our hard earned money keeps going out of state to politically connected firms.
Terry Adams
7:03 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
I truly hope this helps this town because I see so many traffic violations and it seems to be worst then ever. Everyday when I get on the road I pray I make it home safe.
The Patch Man
7:03 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
so let me get this straight the traffic camera's catch people running red lights for them , this new software saves them from having to hand write the tickets tell me again how they earn there 100k a year salaries? no serious crimes in this town, murder rape, etc. so why do we need half the cops we have ? and i know some moron is gunna respond the police are the reason there aren't those crimes in this town, wrong if someone wants to commit a crime like that 9/10 times they wont be stopped, only caught after the fact the reason we don't have those crimes is because brick is an average town mostly middle class citizens yea we have our share of drugs but drugs are NATIONWIDE there isn't a town/city in america they aren't in... cut the cops free up money. or at least a pay cut.
none of yobusiness
7:03 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
I only violate traffic laws while driving thru Mapleleaf. According to Hollowman the cops are afraid to come in there so I should be fine.
ed lewis
9:10 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
I agree with you 100% Mike.
Donnie Brasco
2:14 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Great job by the council and BPD. Money well spent. Summons do not take 10 seconds to fill out as stated by someone in the comments. Also, I believe the cost of the system would be lower then 275k when the township no longer has to procure the numerous amounts of summons books. It is about implementing efficiencies in the system and embracing new technologies. In many cases this lowers the overall overhead budgets.
WMS826
2:14 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
I still laugh at the Brick cops being afraid to be in Maple Leaf...maybe we should do an exchange with these guys..do some time in Essex County for six months then tell me where to be afraid.
Tom Cular
11:38 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
They could improve safety and revenue by enforcing the stop sign violations at Mantoloking Road and Old Hooper Ave.
Tapuout
3:57 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Hey WMS maybe u should be a man and not women and march down to police headquarters and talk to brick guys face to face about this topic lol who is scared now big mouth
Tapuout
3:57 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
I mean the sawmill comment not the bs ticket topic big mouth
WMS826
12:51 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
You should be pissed at one of your own for labeling you guys like that in here. Clean up your own house please officer.
Hollowman
5:20 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Give it a rest WMS, no one ever said that aside from you and your senile deteriorating version of a mind. And besides that whole thread was from september. Do you really have that little meaning in your life you obsess over the freaking internet for this long?? I really do pity you. I'm sorry for ever making you feel inadequate in what is clearly so very important a social network for you. Everyone, Leave WMS alone, he confuses things like words and letters sometimes. Tapuout, we determined a VERY long time ago WMS is a lil coward hiding behind the internet. I'd love to sit him down and discuss police tactics and procedures with him, hell id even give him a ride along for a few hours so he didn't sound like he was talking out his arse, buuuuuut he's far too comfy in his swiveling computer chair to actually have a seat in a squad car next to us "cowards."
whateverman
3:18 am on Sunday, March 17, 2013
It's technological advancements like these that must be embraced in order to afford savings in these tight times. It's not as easy as people think to find savings while also bolstering efficiency. Bravo PD and council!
Just one question... Will the 60k, gas guzzling Yukons (or equally expensive alternatives) that the brass drive to and from HQ and basically as personal vehicles also get these systems? Thereby actually allowing those vehicles to generate some revenue as opposed to just wasting it...???