A POSSE of sheriff’s officers have arrived in town to recoup some of the more than $3 million owed by Warrnambool residents.
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The officers are teaming with Warrnambool police to stage a blitz that began on Tuesday and will continue into Wednesday.
Sheriff of Victoria Brendan Facey said 2250 people in the Warrnambool City catchment area owed money to the Department of Justice and Regulation. This group has outstanding fines numbered at 6888, valued at $3.2 million.
Mr Facey said the visit was an opportunity to collect outstanding fines.
“Some people try and avoid paying so this is a good opportunity to hold them to account,” he said.
“We are not just picking on Warrnambool, we visit towns all over the state to hold these operations.”
Mr Facey said money owed was for unpaid for offences such as speeding, running red lights, tolls and parking.
Day one of the operation identified 20 fine evaders with 133 outstanding warrants valued at more than $53,700.
Acting Sergeant Mark Barby, from Warrnambool police, said a car with automatic number plate recognition technology had been brought down from Melbourne to help with the operation.
This technology scans number plates and helps identify fine evaders.
He said Warrnambool police would take the opportunity to target unlicensed drivers, unregistered cars and drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
