Well I just got a ticket for $310 for an out of date sticker on my car's licence plate, while at the Costco parking lot. Yes I was guilty, but this is also an outcome of the province’s brilliant idea to stop sending out warning letters for upcoming expirations. Of course I am still at fault for not checking my licence plate yearly number. But when I was a federal police officer, I would issue warning tickets, giving the offender 24 hrs., 48 hrs., two weeks, etc., to get the problem solved and then prove to me that the offence (like a broken headlight) had been fixed/repaired.
It seems in St. Albert that there is no such option as a warning ticket, nor the idea of compassionate policing. Police and even bylaw enforcement officers are supposed to serve and protect the public. When you only issue tickets for such large amounts, the City of St. Albert must be very happy to share in the revenue, yet there is a down side. With no compassion, that person(s) might not be able to put good food on their table that month, and/or have to avail him or herself of the food bank. I feel the City of St. Albert just scored in the positive on their fiscal balance sheet with me.
As I mentioned previously, I was a federal police officer for about 10 years, and I would always stress with my younger officers on my crew that we are there to help the public and not have contests. I have seen some jurisdictions where they would see who could write the most tickets for the highest combined totals. In one jurisdiction I served, one police officer was ordered to write 30 tickets a night regardless of the circumstances. This is not policing, it is tax collecting through other means. The nickname we used for this type of police officer was tax collector, a rather despised nom de plume.
In the end I deserved this ticket, but I just wish that even the least fraction of compassion could have been shown my way, as I am now faced with rather hard financial decisions. I also have to thank my premier's office for getting rid of these warning letters.
I guess the monies the provincial government saved in not issuing these reminders, and the profits/fines that were reaped as a result of my forgetfulness (I am a veteran with PTSD who does forget a lot). I hope the money goes to fight the provincial debt. I just did not think that “Serve & Protect” had turned into “Fine & Collect.” Thoughts everyone?
Mike Cue, Morinville
