Cambridge Traffic Department Starts Computerized Crackdown

George Teso, director of the Cambridge Traffic and Parking Department, announced Monday that the city will use its now computerized parking ticket summons operation to bring to court all those who have committed traffic violations since January 1971.

Teso said the crackdown will involve close to 200,000 violators and will probably result in a return of over $500,000 to Cambridge's municipal coffers.

Under the direction of Lauren Preston, Teso's assistant, the department has already used its computer to issue over 80,000 summonses to 1971 violators, who will receive notices in the mail within the next week.

"It was impossible to keep up with the number of traffic violations before we got the computer," Preston said last night. "Now few people will escape paying for violations."

Preston said that last December, in order to improve traffic law enforcement, the department hired nine parking control officers to patrol Cambridge streets in search of parking and other traffic violators.

Teso said Monday that the Cambridge and Boston traffic departments are preparing to file legislation that would create mutual "tow and hold" systems.

"Our computer system will print out a list of violators who aggregate five or more tickets per years," he said. "The vehicle will then be impounded."

Extradition

Students reached last night did not appear worried about the new crackdown.

"As long on they don't start going after out-of-state offenders I'm safe," one student, who claimed to have over 20 tickets, said. "Otherwise I could be in big trouble.

Pression said he was not sore whether the traffic department will attempt to reach out-of-state violators.

"This would be up to the course, to decide if on should go through other sates' registries he said.