Springfield To Seize Cars For Unpaid Excise Tax Bills

The city of Springfield Massachusetts is going high-tech in an effort to collect more than $11 million owed it by scofflaws.   WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports.

      Devices mounted on traffic enforcement vehicles scan license plates on cars and trucks parked on Springfield streets and instantly alert the enforcement officials if there are  outstanding parking tickets or unpaid excise tax bills.   Springfield City Treasurer-Collector Stephen Lonergan says the vehicle will be booted or towed and impounded until the owner pays  up.

      The city, working with the Springfield Parking Authority, launched the high-tech crackdown on scofflaws Monday after receiving special permission for the program earlier this year from the Massachusetts Legislature.