New chief not interested in extra fee

A proposed cost-recovery program that would have seen drivers stopped by city police without identification having to pay an administration fee has apparently been abandoned.

Last February, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board approved the implementation of a cost-recovery program, which would see drivers pay a $20 'compliance notice' fee upon presentation of their license or insurance at the Police Service Building within 24 hours of being stopped without identification.

At the time Davies emphasized to the Board that the $20 fee was “not a cash grab” by city police.

The program would have replaced the current “green tag” process, which gives a motorist a chance to correct a minor traffic infraction (such as a burnt out headlight or failure to produce an insurance slip) instead of being charged by an officer on the spot.

Staff Sgt. Jane Martynuck, reached by phone Monday, said this policy was not something Chief Bob Keetch is interested in pursuing.

“At this point it’s certainly not something he is looking at proceeding with,” she said on Keetch’s behalf.

It is unclear if the program was ever formally introduced, but it appears it will not be enforced unless the Police Services Board directs the chief to implement the program, Martynuck said.

SooToday attempted to contact members of the Police Services Board Monday but were unable to immediately reach those members who were contacted.

(FILE PHOTO of Chief Bob Keetch. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)