New parking ticket system in Albany expected to boost collections

ALBANY -- The city of Albany is tightening enforcement of its parking ticket system with the help of a new software program that is expected to more closely track tickets that are issued and ultimately boost revenue collections.

The program, by Complus Data Innovations, tracks every ticket from the time it is written until it is ultimately paid or dismissed through a computerized database, according to city treasurer Kathy Sheehan. The new system also automates collection notices for delinquent unpaid tickets.

Parking enforcement officers will be issued new handheld ticket writers that include bar code scanners connected to the New York State vehicle registry, which is expected to reduce manual data entry. 

The handhelds will also have a built-in camera that allows officers to capture up to three digital images of a violation. 

"While not all violations require digital imaging, a picture of a blocked driveway or fire hydrant will assist in any additional court proceedings," said Acting Police Chief Steven Krokoff. 

"We expect to see a significant increase in collections over the next several months," noted Sheehan. "Complus has extensive experience in municipalities throughout New York and has demonsrated collections of up to 96 percent newly issued tickets and up to 80 percent for backlogged, unpaid tickets." 

Complus was awarded the contract for the city's parking management services in February as the most qualified bidder, according to Sheehan. 

The city installed and started testing the new software system at the end of March, and placed the new handheld ticket writers into service on April 23.

The Parking Violations Bureau will provide quarterly reports to the Common Council of the number of tickets issued, fines collected and tickets dismissed.