The Raptors are Waiting

People on low incomes being aggressively targeted by bailiffs due to unpaid council tax, parking fines and speeding tickets. The fact that many people are struggling to pay, rather than won’t pay, in the difficult economic climate we are in, seems to make little difference.

Local Authorities are using a debt collection company called Equita, whose website is decorated with images of various ‘birds of prey’. The symbolism is hard not to appreciate.  The sight of a ‘raptor’ carrying off your goods may well come to mind when visiting the Equita website.  

A section of the Equita website states:

Since Britain's first parking ticket was issued in 1960, offenders and enforcers have waged a constant war – one many councils feel they're losing. Unpaid Penalty Charge Notices represent a major loss of revenue, while attempts at recovery are a huge drain on already stretched resources. We're here to redress the balance.

It certainly sounds like a declaration of war on the public…

There is little mention of the fact that with more cars on the roads, parking has been restricted more and more, especially in town centres. Companies like NCP Car Parks for example, the UKs largest car parking company, with over 150,000 spaces across more than 500 car parks in towns, cities, airports and London Underground and National Rail stations - own large chunks of our town centres. With their very high parking charges, it is hardly surprising that many town centres are in decline.

Councils are adding to the problem. If you are on a low income, arrive back late to your car, and find you face a £82 fine that could escalate to £392 as soon as Equita get involved. This is over a parking ticket that could cost just £1.20. Where is the incentive to support your local high street - when the raptors are waiting to take the small income and modest goods you own?

NCP is owned Macquarie Group Limited is a global investment banking and diversified financial services group, headquartered in Sydney, Macquarie is the largest Australian investment bank. Half a world away from the UK shops closing and where low paid workers are losing their jobs. 

As Councils and other organisations like the above, purse financially distressed individuals, we came across this interesting story ‘from over the pond’ where six Whittier (a town in California) police officers are suing the city, saying they faced retaliation when they complained and refused to meet alleged ticket and arrest quotas.

According to the LA Times; officers Jim Azpilicueta, Anthony Gonzalez, Mike Rosario, Nancy Ogle, Steve Johnson and Cpl. Joseph Rivera say they spoke out against the quotas, which they claim were imposed by the Whittier Police Department in 2008, according to a suit filed recently in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The officers said their “careers have been materially and adversely affected, and irreparably harmed” by the city.

In brief after complaining about quotas, the officers faced a series of disciplinary actions including counselling sessions, unwarranted transfers, increased scrutiny and disparaging comments, the lawsuit said.

The alleged retaliation started after the officers said they complained to their supervisors and the police department’s Internal Affairs Division, the suit claims.

The officers said they “spoke out not only for the rights of themselves and their fellow officers, but also for the rights of the public by speaking out against what they believed to be an unlawful citation and arrest quota.”

Imposing arrest and ticket quotas on police officers violates California Vehicle Codes section 41600. The codes makes it illegal for any state or local agency to force officers to meet a certain number of citations or arrests for promotion or disciplinary purposes.

The arrests and citations may only be considered in evaluating an officer's overall performances, including work safety, commendations, training, professional judgment, complaints and attendance.

The officers said their careers were not only harmed because they refused to meet quotas, but their health and well-being also suffered.

The damages, according to the lawsuit, have continued. They are seeking an unspecified amount damages.

In another action last December - The Los Angeles City Council agreed to pay nearly $6 million to a group of police officers who accused their superiors of imposing a secret traffic ticket quota system on the Westside.

The settlement, approved unanimously, brings to more than $10 million the amount of taxpayer money spent on payouts and legal fees from the ticket quota cases. But that number could grow because one more officer's case is still pending.

The ticket controversy has been a black eye for the Los Angeles Police Department. Ticket quotas are against state law. After the officers' allegations were made public, LAPD officials met with police union representatives and signed a letter emphasizing that the department prohibits quotas.

We must applaud these police offices actions. California is a debt laden state and public servants like the police are being clearly forced to act as unwilling tax collectors.

UK Jobcentre Plus advisors involved in Benefit Sanctions please take note! Quotas like these mentioned ought to be illegal in Europe. The average compensation paid to jobseekers is £25. If the DWP faced compensation payments such as those paid to US police officers; or even the charges Equita collects from motorists in indervidual cases, we might start seeing some changes.