Saturday, June 21, 2008

Rupert set to receive its share of the traffic fine pie


British Columbians apparently have a heavy foot and aren't particularly careful when they're driving, at least that is what you might take away from the fact that this year, the province will return some 61 million dollars to BC Communities in traffic fines destined for municipalities across the province.

The program which, provides funding for community policing projects and other detachment initiatives will be providing Prince Rupert with $261,148 this year a slight reduction from last years 264,037 dollars returned in traffic fines. So, either less of us are around to contribute to the fund or a few of us have learned our lessons from last year.

The Daily News featured details on the project and how it has been implemented across the province for the last four years.

Traffic fines flowing back into the city
The Daily News
Friday, June 20, 2008

Page one three

The City of Prince Rupert will be receiving $261,148 in traffic fine revenue from the provincial government, as part of $61 million being returned to local governments to enhance policing and community-based public safety programs.

"Since we expanded our program in 2004 to give local governments 100 per cent of traffic fine revenue, we've seen how these funds have been used in a variety of innovative and effective ways to help make our communities safer, better place to live," said Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services. "Over $210 million in additional funding has now gone to British Columbia municipalities to hire more officers and invest in local projects, ranging from youth outreach and drug awareness programs to traffic safety."

The traffic fine revenue-sharing program assists municipalities that directly pay police enforcement costs. The grants come from ticket fines and court-imposed fines on violation tickets, and the amount of money a municipality receives is based on its contribution to total municipal policing costs.

"Residents are more secure in their homes and on the streets of their towns, thanks to the expansion of this program, which has seen municipalities hire 560 new police officers since 2003," said John van Dongen, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

"We're pleased to continue to provide local governments with the resources necessary to improve policing, prevent crime and build safer neighbourhoods and communities."

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