Municipalities look to fines as cash cows

JEREZ The municipality of Jerez has just given notice that it is prepared to lower costs without lowering income. One of the ways it is proposing to do this particular bit of financial gymnastics is via fines. Although the report mentions only traffic fines, we would bet on them and every other municipality in deep doo-doo, finding a way of fining us for everything from painting a tiny spot on the house without a licence to following one as we walk the dog (did he pick it up?). In other words -and we are getting increasingly cynical- we are warned. Needless to say, there are other moves from the Government after today's Cabinet meeting (held usually on Friday but tom tomorrow's a national holiday).

Guardia Civil union says they are 'pressured' to increase traffic fines

The Unión de Oficiales de la Guardia Civil Profesional, one of several unions covering the force, says that the Ministry of the Interior, under which they operate, "continues to exert pressure to increase the number of denuncias (i.e. fines)" by creating "a Machiavellic points system that evaluates an officer and influences his or her pay check." The statement comes at a time when thereis an alleged 'down pen strike' by traffic police that has resulted in a decrease in the number of fines emmitted. The union goes on to say that the system could have serious consequences, as the points system fosters an 'anything goes' attitude "in order to protect our measly wages." It adds that (Get the whole story on CampoPulse)