Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 6, 1994 TAG: 9404060020
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KEVIN DANIELS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
The agreement would allow police officers in Roanoke, Roanoke County, Salem and Vinton to issue tickets to anyone from those communities without a valid decal. Under the current arrangement, an officer may ticket only motorists who reside in the officer's jurisdiction.
Roanoke Valley governments are expected to vote on the matter this month. Vinton Police Chief Rick Foutz said he believes the proposal will pass easily, adding that similar agreements are being prepared throughout the state.
"As more areas adopt this policy, I wouldn't be surprised to see it go statewide," Foutz said.
Anne Marie Green, director of community relations for Roanoke County, said the Roanoke Valley compact is the second of its kind in the state. The other, in Northern Virginia, includes Arlington County, Fairfax and Falls Church.
The proposal is the result of legislation passed by the 1993 General Assembly that allows two or more counties, cities or towns to enter into compacts for the regional enforcement of decal ordinances.
Vehicle owners have until May 31 to buy a 1994 decal, and enforcement of the new law is to begin June 1. Fines for not having a decal, which range from $25 to $250 in the four localities, are expected to be standardized, Foutz said.
by CNB