43
Fines to be paid in litter pickup
The program may mean a cleaner township.
LIBERTY — Township police and Girard Municipal Court Judge Michael Bernard have come up with a plan that will allow those convicted of minor crimes and traffic offenses to work off some of those fines in sweat instead of dollars.
Police Chief Richard Tisone said the new program will allow many of those passing through the court to then pass through the township, roll up their sleeves and make the area a little more beautiful for residents.
“This is basically a program where, through the court and probation department, we can bring people convicted of traffic offenses and misdemeanor criminal offenses back to the township to complete various tasks,” he said. “The individual will then see a reduction in their fines.”
Tisone said each hour worked by a person in the program will equal a $10 reduction in the fines owed to the court.
The judge was unavailable to comment.
The court-cost schedule in the Girard Municipal Court is $92 for traffic, $94 for criminal and $54 for nonmoving violations if a person comes into court for an actual hearing. The court costs for a person who pays without appearing in court are $84 for traffic, $86 for criminal and $50 for nonmoving violations.
The judge or magistrate hearing a given case may assess fines in addition to any court costs as the judge or magistrate sees fit.
Tisone said it is important to understand the program will be open only to misdemeanor offenders and those in violation of traffic laws. He said participants must request and be accepted into the program.
Atty. Mark Finamore, who serves as a magistrate in the court and the township’s legal representative, has created a waiver form to be signed by anyone involved in the program. Tisone said the waiver is in place to absolve the township of liability for those working in the program.
Tisone said the program is basically a win-win for the township and those who owe fines to the court. The biggest benefit to the township, he said, will be cleaner streets, equipment and public grounds.
“This is a way for people to afford their court fees, a way to work some of that off,” Tisone said. “We are excited about this. We are not only going to have them for washing and waxing police cruisers, but also for litter pickup. This way we can keep a constant watch on litter in the township.”
Township Trustee Jodi Stoyak said the use of misdemeanor violators for cleanup in the township is a good extension of a current litter program.
“We are going at this litter problem in the township full force with having the court provide us with these low-level violators to assist in picking up litter,” she said. “This will assist with the regular annual Community Litter Cleanup days.”
The township will host a community cleanup event May 9-10. The litter program has been in existence for 14 years.
Stoyak said the Trumbull County sheriff’s office also will have jail inmates collecting litter along county roads in the township. The collective resources, she said, all go toward making the township litter-free.
“We want the township to be attractive to family and business,” she added.
jgoodwin@vindy.com