This was previously reported. What “review”.
Soon after putting the Trekkie plate to rest, Koorey got anything but rest. Hundreds of tickets started racing into her mailbox.
Read the full article at CBSNews
Summary of “Trekkie License Plate Puzzler: Tickets from Chicago Connected to Grandmother in New York Who Has No Car”
Quick Overview
A peculiar case has emerged involving Beda Koorey, a 76-year-old woman from Long Island, New York, who has been receiving numerous traffic tickets linked to a license plate she no longer owns. The plate, NCC1701, associated with her late husband’s love for “Star Trek,” was destroyed in 2020, yet violations from across the country continue to arrive in her mailbox.
Key Points
- License Plate History: The NCC1701 plate, a nod to the USS Enterprise from “Star Trek,” was registered to Koorey until 2020 when she sold her car and surrendered the plate.
- Ongoing Ticket Issues: Since the plate’s destruction, Koorey has received hundreds of tickets for various traffic violations, including speeding and red light infractions, from over 20 different states.
- Legal Assistance: Koorey enlisted the help of attorney Kenneth Mollins, who successfully separated her name from the license plate in New York’s DMV system, resulting in many tickets being dismissed.
- Challenges in Chicago: Despite the resolution in New York, Koorey faced significant difficulties with the Chicago Department of Finance, which continued to issue tickets until intervention from CBS News.
- Broader Implications: The situation highlights vulnerabilities in automated license plate recognition systems and raises concerns about the potential for counterfeit plates to cause similar issues for others.
Detailed Breakdown
License Plate History
Beda Koorey’s NCC1701 plate was a cherished remnant of her late husband’s passion for “Star Trek.” After surrendering the plate to the New York State DMV in April 2020, Koorey, who has not driven for five years due to failing eyesight, began receiving a barrage of traffic tickets.
Ongoing Ticket Issues
Koorey’s ordeal began shortly after the plate was destroyed, with tickets pouring in from various states, including Virginia Beach, Florida, and even as far as Ohio, where police mistakenly contacted her regarding a vehicle involved in a robbery. Despite having documentation proving the plate’s destruction, many jurisdictions, including Florida, initially refused to acknowledge her situation.
Legal Assistance
Frustrated by the relentless stream of tickets, Koorey sought help from attorney Kenneth Mollins, who took on her case pro bono after hearing about her plight. Mollins successfully communicated with the New York DMV to clear Koorey’s name from the NCC1701 plate records, resulting in many of the tickets being dismissed. However, challenges persisted with the Chicago authorities, where tickets continued to accumulate.
Challenges in Chicago
Despite Mollins’ efforts, the Chicago Department of Finance was initially unresponsive. It wasn’t until CBS News intervened, providing the same documentation Koorey had submitted, that her tickets were finally resolved.
Broader Implications
The case underscores significant flaws in automated license plate recognition systems, which can misidentify vehicles and owners. Paul Steier, director of vehicle programs for the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, noted that while these systems can read plates, they do not verify their authenticity. This raises concerns about the broader implications of counterfeit plates, which could lead to financial losses for tolling authorities and wrongful penalties for innocent individuals like Koorey.
Notable Quotes & Data
- “I’ve gone through a horror show with this,” Koorey expressed, reflecting her distress over the situation.
- Mollins emphasized the challenge, stating, “I could get nobody who gave a darn” regarding the Chicago authorities’ lack of response.
Context & Implications
Koorey’s experience highlights the potential for automated systems to fail in accurately identifying vehicle ownership, leading to significant distress for individuals wrongfully penalized. The case serves as a cautionary tale regarding the need for improved verification methods in license plate recognition technologies and the importance of responsive legal frameworks to address such issues. As authorities monitor this growing problem, the need for legislative action to prevent the sale of counterfeit license plates becomes increasingly apparent. parent.