Interagency Scofflaw Operations at Robert F. Kennedy, Willis, Third Avenue, and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridges Result in 29 Arrests and 1,490 Summonses
Through 18 Operations, Officers Have Seized 1,074 Vehicles, Issued 8,108 Summonses, and Made 226 Arrests
View Photos of Vehicles Seized on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
View Video B-Roll Footage of Enforcement Efforts on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
View Photos of Vehicles Seized from RFK, Willis and Third Ave Bridges
View Video B-Roll Footage of Enforcement Efforts on the RFK, Willis and Third Ave Bridges
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 their 16th, 17th and 18th interagency task force operation to remove ghost vehicles and crack down on persistent toll violators.
Over the last two weeks, officers have seized a total of 203 vehicles from two enforcement operations at the RFK, Willis and Third Ave Bridges, and one at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The scofflaws had amassed $1,993,054 in unpaid tolls and fees, judgments, and debts. The operations resulted in 29 arrests and 1,490 summonses issued. See results of each day’s operation below:
- On Thursday, May 30, 2024, a morning and afternoon enforcement operation took place at the RFK, Willis and Third Ave bridges, which resulted in 21 arrests, 149 seized vehicles, and 1,104 summonses.
- On Friday, June 7, 2024, an enforcement operation took place at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which resulted in eight arrests, 54 seized vehicles and 386 summonses.
Vehicles seized 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, 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, and U.S. Park Police.
So far this year, 18 joint enforcement operations have been held resulting in 1,074 vehicles seized, 226 arrests and 8, 108 summonses.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels Revenue Recovery Efforts
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 9,500 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.