News release from Police Department:
The Bridgeport Police Department is warning residents of a temporary plate scam after discovering several temporary plates that seemed to be issued out of Texas, that were actually fake license plates being fraudulently sold by a local business, GRS Tint Shop, at Grand and Hurd Streets.
The initial investigation concerning the issuance of Texas dealer plates began several weeks ago as part of quality of life detail implemented to improve the condition of local neighborhoods and identify existing problems which need to be addressed and corrected.
While on patrol, Officer Bouchard of the Bridgeport Police Department identified several vehicles with paper temporary Texas dealer plates. Upon checking the Texas registration, police found that the identification numbers did not match the alleged Texas dealer plates displayed on the vehicles.
In coordination with the DMV, the police department was able to identify the falsified plates as well as the business that was distributing the illegal out-of-state plates, and individuals who were subsequently using the illegal plates on their vehicles. Victims should be aware that having an illegal license plate is an arrestable offense.
Please be advised Connecticut also requires minimum liability insurance. The failure to carry liability insurance in the state of Connecticut is an arrestable offense. The dealers providing these illegal plates, on many occasions, will also provide the victims with fraudulent insurance cards.
Anyone who has purchased or has been approached to buy temporary plates: call 203-576-TIPS
The police department and the tax assessor’s office should crack down on all the cars with Maine and Vermont plates. These owners are dodging taxes that belong to Bridgeport and Connecticut.
Lock them up!
It would be better to impound their vehicles and hold it until it is registered in Connecticut. The vehicle would be on the tax rolls. The tax assessor should get the records of all the vehicles registered in other states. If they could have the registrations suspended until they are registered in Connecticut.
Start with Maine and Vermont.
“The initial investigation concerning the issuance of Texas dealer plates began several weeks ago as part of quality of life detail implemented to improve the condition of local neighborhoods and identify existing problems which need to be addressed and corrected.”
I have read the above excerpt from the “news release of the Police Department”because I found myself surprised to learn that the Police Department, certainly with the full understanding and support of the Mayor’s office, had become a leading element in a local effort to provide improved quality of life across the city.
Should I assume that the first thing noticed is a phony vehicle registration scam? How were the phony plates noticed at first? Through technology provided to report vehicles operating in the community with registrations, insurance, tax issues or other erroneous and out of date paperwork. Good job.
What are other quality of life issues noticed where technology is not available and are they reported to the public? Was detail set up based on consultant recommendation? Has City Council Public Safety committee been aware of this initiative? Time will tell.