A task force consisting of multiple agencies has been established to address the increasing problem of drivers attempting to evade tolls and traffic violations by using counterfeit license plates.
On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul, along with New York City Mayor Eric Adams, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, and MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, made the announcement.
The involved agencies have individually been doing it, but now they are collaborating with a sense of urgency as congestion pricing approaches.
The task force has a specific mission: to detect and eliminate what are commonly referred to as “ghost cars.” These vehicles have license plates that have been tampered with or counterfeited, rendering them unidentifiable by traffic cameras and toll readers.
The primary objective is to eliminate vehicles that have counterfeit or altered license plates, as well as those without any plates at all. Authorities claim that these cars are frequently unregistered, uninsured, or potentially stolen.
“We are putting a stop to the use of ‘ghost plates’ with the assistance of a multi-agency task force,” Adams declared. “Outlaws have resorted to buying counterfeit or paper license plates online in order to avoid tolls, tickets, and even escape responsibility for major crimes. However, their actions will no longer go unnoticed. Even though these vehicles may lack license plates, we have their identification, and we will pursue anyone attempting to render their car untraceable.”
On Monday, the task force stationed themselves at three river crossings that enter Manhattan, resulting in the impounding of 73 cars. Additionally, they issued 282 summonses and made eight arrests.
New York Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of road safety by announcing the establishment of a city-state task force. The purpose of this task force is to apprehend individuals who attempt to modify their license plates in order to evade traffic cameras and toll readers. Governor Hochul made it clear that those who engage in such activities will not go unnoticed. Mayor Adams and law enforcement agencies will work together to promptly identify and remove these elusive vehicles from the roads. Safeguarding the well-being of New Yorkers remains Governor Hochul’s utmost priority.
Hochul has also made it clear that she is urging the Legislature to come together and pass further measures in order to provide additional safeguards for the people of New York within the budget.
The NYC Sheriff’s Office is taking strong measures to combat the presence of ghost cars. These ghost cars refer to vehicles that possess counterfeit license plates, fake paper plates, or are unregistered or uninsured. Journalist Kristin Thorne provides an insightful report on this issue.
