Community Corner

Abington Enters Into Agreement to Collect Delinquent Red Light Camera Violations

Municipal Collections of America, Inc. will collect the delinquent red light camera violations issued in Abington.

The path to collecting red light camera violations in Abington cleared another hurdle Thursday night.

The Abington Board of Commissioners last night OK'd an agreement with Municipal Collections of America, Inc. (MCOA) for the collection of delinquent red light camera violations.

The firm Gatso, Inc., which will install and operate the red light camera hardware in the township, subcontracts with (MCOA) to collect the delinquent violations.

Find out what's happening in Abingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For more about the upcoming red light cameras in Abington click here. 

Abington Commissioners Steven Kline and John Spiegelman said at last week’s public safety committee meeting that they were uncomfortable with MCOA getting the nod; Kline said there should have been a request for proposal regarding MCOA’s services and Spiegelman said he felt the company Gatso somewhat forced the township to enter into the agreement with MCOA by “springing this on us late in the game.”

Find out what's happening in Abingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Abington Police Chief William Kelly said last night that while Gatso recommended the firm MCOA, Gatso is a completely separate company from MCOA, and the two have no ties other than a working relationship.

Kelly also said that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will not permit the township to collect its own delinquent violations.

Officer Chris Posey said last week that MCOA is reputable and has been in business for more than 20 years; he added that the company collects delinquent violations for more than 80 municipalities across the country.

Commissioners Kline, Spiegelman and Wayne Luker voted against the motion.

As for the delinquent violations …

If a driver cruises through a red light and gets a picture snapped of his or her license plate, the driver will be issued a violation and will be given 30 days to pay. After that, a second notice is issued. After 51 days, a third and final notice will be issued. After 79 days, the violation will go to the collection agency and the driver will be charged an extra 35 percent on top of the $100 fine.


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