Forgot to Pay Your Traffic Ticket? There Goes Your Water…

[marmar]

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/909132/forgot_to_pay_your_traffic_ticket_there_goes_your_water%E2%80%A6/


Forgot to Pay Your Traffic Ticket? There Goes Your Water…


Tough fiscal times are driving some cities to take extreme and often outlandish measures to generate revenue, but an action by Las Cruces, New Mexico, may take the cake.

Earlier this week, Las Cruces told its residents that if they fail to pay their traffic tickets, they would lose their water, sewer and gas service. This is disgraceful and dangerous. As summer approaches and temperatures rise, the loss of water service poses a particularly serious health risk for residents of this desert city. This enforcement policy presents a clear violation of the human right to water.

While cities understandably want to shore up their finances, they must not take drastic actions that endanger the lives and wellbeing of their inhabitants.

[coalition_unwilling]

1. There's no 'right' to water in the U.S.

Constitution.

(in case it's needed)

[siligut]

2. The bottom line is all matters to them

Not how they get there, this is becoming increasingly apparent.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

3. Do these city councils have an ounce of humility?

Last edited Thu Apr 26, 2012, 09:48 PM - Edit history (1)

Denying citizens access to water in their homes is inhumane
I hope there is a lawsuit that takes this to the Supreme Court. Issues like this are the most
important reason to re-elect Obama as states and municipalities institute these draconian
laws. Let them weight the costs of a long drawn out law suit against the revenue generated by
oppressing the poorest of the poor.

[lonestarnot]

7. let them weigh, let them weigh. Let them eat cake.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

17. weight, way, whey...never drink and post.

[lonestarnot]

25. ;)

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. sewer service? What does that mean?

[tammywammy]

9. Waste.

My sewage cost is included with my water bill.

[Liberal_in_LA]

11. can't see how that can be turned off.

[Canuckistanian]

15. That's a good point

They can't shut off sewer services, can they? It would quickly become an (ahem) public health issue if they did.

[Art_from_Ark]

20. By virtue of shutting off water, they would also be shutting off sewer

Last edited Fri Apr 27, 2012, 01:51 AM - Edit history (1)

I guess they figure that if there is no sewer service, people will be really motivated to pay off the ticket.

[Liberal_in_LA]

26. Pouring a bucket of water into the toilet will flush it. So I guess they figure with no water,

there is no way to use the sewer.

[stlsaxman]

24. our sewer and water services are separate here- if you don't pay your sewer bill they put a lean on

your house. But- this is after ignoring the bill for a year. I mean- you're right- they can't exactly shut off a sewer, can they?

cutting off someones water service in light of another bill/fine is downright sick/criminal.

[sarcasmo]

5. The tougher it gets for state the harder they search for revenue. Such a sad system

in which we live.

[Initech]

6. If we made the fucking billionaires pay their share we wouldn't be in this mess.

[SammyWinstonJack]

13. Well that doesn't seem like it's going to happen.....anytime soon or ever.

[Blue_Tires]

14. it's also so much easier for them to pull this bullshit

instead of coming up with real, workable long-term solutions...

[edgineered]

8. From the folks who cannot understand why

bullying, hazing, usury, hunger and the myriad injustices of a 1% reign are issues for so many. They are sick and there is no medical cure for an infected mind.

[longship]

10. Ha ha ha ha ha! I have my own water.

An artesian well and a pump. I get my heat by buying fuel oil from a private vendor. I buy electricity from a co-op of which I have been a member for decades.

Whatta ya gonna do? Cut me off from the grocery store? Try it. I dare you.

Nota bene, I haven't had a traffic ticket in decades.

[WolverineDG]

12. Not sure how they can tie those together

There are other ways to collect traffic fines anyway. Of course, one wonders why folks were just blowing off tickets & not making arrangements to pay or do community service.

[Gemini Cat]

16. Not having the cash perhaps?

That's one reason for not paying a traffic ticket.

[WolverineDG]

19. you can do community service instead nt

[Brother Buzz]

18. So, like if I have a post office box.....

Does the post office drinking fountain go dry?

[Meiko]

21. Most local agecies

will work with you on unpaid tickets. It seems it would be better to go arrange some form of repayment before it comes to the point where they are turning your water off. The whole plan is a bit harsh, shutting off someones water over a ticket, where does it end. The two issues should not be connected in any way.

[Cruzan]

22. Really, just like that? Without a warning?

Or two, or five?

[B Calm]

23. What happen to losing your driving license?