Interagency Scofflaw Operations at Robert F. Kennedy, Willis, Third Avenue, and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridges Result in 43 Arrests and 1,825 Summonses
Through 34 Operations, Officers Have Impounded 1,972 Vehicles, Issued 16,844 Summonses, and Made 438 Arrests
View Photos from Joint Enforcement Operations
View Video B-Roll Footage of Enforcement Efforts
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Bridges and Tunnels and the New York City Police Department (NYPD), along with regional law enforcement partners, today announced the results of three interagency task force operations to remove ghost vehicles and crack down on persistent toll violators in August.
Through the first three operations of the month, officers have impounded a total of 166 vehicles at operations held at MTA and City crossings including the RFK, Cross Bay and Third Ave bridges. The scofflaws had amassed $1,345,713.00 in unpaid tolls and fees, judgments, and debts. The operations also resulted in 43 arrests and 1,825 summonses issued.
“The message could not be any clearer: anyone who thinks they are above the law or doesn’t pay their tolls will find out the hard way,” said MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Catherine Sheridan. “Don't take the risk. Pay your tolls and avoid having your car taken away from you."
See results of each day’s operation below:
- On Sunday, August 4, 2024, an enforcement operation took place at the RFK, Willis and Third Ave bridges, which resulted in 16 arrests, 87 impounded vehicles, and 694 summonses.
- On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, an enforcement operation took place at the Cross Bay and Marine Parkway bridges which resulted in 14 arrests, 25 impounded vehicles and 380 summonses.
- On Sunday, August 11, 2024, an enforcement operation took place at the Henry Hudson, 207th St, Broadway and 181 St bridges, which resulted in 13 arrests, 54 impounded vehicles and 751 summonses.
Vehicles impounded were for a number of violations including unpaid tolls, unregistered vehicles, and suspended licenses among other traffic infractions.
The interagency operation included MTA Bridge and Tunnel Officers, MTA Police, NYPD, Port Authority Police, New York State Police, New York City Sherriff’s Office, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Police.
So far this year, 34 joint enforcement operations have been held resulting in 1,972 vehicles impounded, 438 arrests and 16,844 summonses.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels Revenue Recovery Efforts
Effective September 1, a new law supports MTA Bridges and Tunnels’ efforts to pursue payment from persistent toll violators who use MTA Bridges and Tunnels’ crossings, with the Top 10 violators collectively owing $3.6 million – an average of $360,000 each in unpaid tolls and violation fees.
The first wave of 500 notices of imminent judgment were mailed on August 2 to each vehicle owner who is part of a group that collectively owes $53 million in unpaid tolls and violation fees – an average of $106,000 each in unpaid tolls and violation fees.
Over 20-thousand more notices were mailed on August 9. In September, the MTA plans to begin a weekly program of mailings in batches of 5,000 to persistent toll violators who have escalated to a Judgment Warning Notice.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels, through tolls and fees collected, has recovered more than 98% of the tolls owed by recidivist toll scofflaws since the inception of its DMV Registration Suspension Program.
This enforcement aligns with a coordinated strategy by MTA Bridges and Tunnels and City and State law enforcement partners, who announced a joint effort against obstructed and counterfeit license plates last year. Since the start of Open Road Tolling, Bridge and Tunnel officers have interdicted more than 11,000 vehicles for persistent non-payment of tolls.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels uses a variety of tools to identify violators and interdict vehicles:
- DMV registration suspensions
- Robust roadside interdictions
- Data-driven intelligence to continuously identify persistent toll violators
Motorists can avoid violation fees and registration suspensions by paying their toll bills on time, using the award-winning Tolls NY free mobile application to pay tolls or manage their E-ZPass accounts. E-ZPass NY Customer Service Center account holders can save at least 25% at MTA B&T tolled crossings by using E-ZPass. To set up an E-ZPass account or for more information, visit www.ezpassny.com. NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law prohibits any covering or coating that intentionally conceals, obscures, or distorts an image of license plates.