NCJ Number
92567
Date Published
1982
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Use of the management information system of the Charleston Police Department (South Carolina) for handling traffic tickets resulted in 97.2 percent more money being efficiently collected in 1981 than in previous years.
Abstract
Under a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program instituted in 1981, the number of traffic tickets issued increased 122 percent, resulting in overloading of the ticket processing and fine collecting system. On the recommendation of Court Administration Office representatives, the criminal docket was used for all case information, tickets were entered as soon as delivered to the court, ticket information was listed numerically, and revenue information about fines and forfeitures was included on the criminal docket sheet. Receipts were issued for cash received and defendants found not guilty received refunds by check. The information management system was able to handle accounting transactions. As a result of the new system, 97.2-percent more money was collected for traffic tickets in 1981. The system also permits separation of tickets to avoid loss or other errors. A description of the police department's Automatic Information System covers the hardware and software configuration and operation, the feasibility assessment for similar systems, cost-benefit analysis of the system, intangible benefits of the system, and problems of central computer facilities. Other areas discussed include report confidentiality, information system training, computer security, implementation problem areas, and environmental requirements.