During his report to County Council last night, Northampton County Exec John Stoffa expressed some concern about parking around the courthouse. "Parking is really at a premium," he noted. When the County starts repairing its parking deck in the next few months, it may have to run a shuttle.Stoffa has asked to sit down with the Courts to see if cases can be scheduled in a way that eases the burden on parking. DUI and ARD cases are sometimes conducted on the same day, which makes parking next to impossible.
"There's a good example with ARD and DUI. Why couldn't they be done at night court?" asked Council Prez Ron Angle.
"I think they could be," answered Stoffa, "I think that's a great idea. We'd have to talk to the courts about that, but a lot of places do that." Stoffa made clear that judges are in charge of that, not him.
more business for the diners!
ReplyDeleteBernie just a thought. If they did a night court wouldn't that cost more tax payer money though? They would have to pay the sheriff's, tip staff, criminal clerks, law clerks, parole staff, and other court related staff overtime. Plus keeping the building open could cause some security risks at that hour.
ReplyDeleteThere would be no security risk bc the sheriffs would be there. But yes, this will cost some money. I think it could be minimized. There would be no OT, just a different starting and quitting time on one or two days every month. It could ease the parking problem, and would also be a convenience to taxpayers who would not need to take a day off.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't know how much it will really help the parking problem. It might be a lot of work for very little benefit.
The security risk is being anywhere near downtown Easton and West Ward after dark. Judges won't go for this because they didn't sign up to risk their lives to commute to and from work. Despite the puffs of sunshine being blown up people's asses, Easton is still f-ing dangerous after dark, and sometimes before.
ReplyDeleteSounds OK but it wont fly. Plus I dont think its worth all the effort.
ReplyDeleteHOORAY!!! What a novel idea? Spend millions of taxpayer dollars to build buildings that are used 8 hours a day. Night court makes a lot of sense. Just like using the schools for recreation and senior activities. Taxpayers pay for these buildings but for court we need to take time off of work and heck I am paying property taxes for school and haven't been inone in years as my children are all grown up.
ReplyDeleteNight court really makes sense because heck, all of the lights in the building and outside are left on all night. May as well use the electricity they are burning.
Anon 8:03AM where are you talking about. I live in that area nad have no problem. I am no more cautious in my neighborood after dark as I am at any mall or suburban neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteCrime in our area is decreasing at great leaps and I believe last year was more than 30%. The last murder in the WW was in 2007.
Judges have staff let them work at night.
The only problem I can see is that many County employees have part-time jobs, but it is something that should be looked at...
ReplyDeleteDA Morganelli proposed some night court back in 1991 and it went no where with the court.
ReplyDelete