Municipal court officials gave Tulsa city councilors an update this week on court activities.
Stepped-up downtown parking enforcement is paying off for the city.
"In three months, we've collected $79,500. That was what we did for seven months, December through June of 2014," Court Administrator Kelly Brader said.
Brader also told city councilors more handicap parking violations are being dismissed since the fine was increased from $150 to $500 earlier this year. Brader said more people are coming in to show they have a valid placard after receiving a $500 ticket.
Presiding Municipal Judge Mitchell McCune reported on the city's special services court.
The program for the homeless and mentally ill is similar to veteran’s court. Those on the docket are advised of charges against them but given access to counseling and housing. McCune told city councilors it’s working.
"What we can do — and there has been already — cases where we've seen where these people have gone from living on the street with no help to having housing, being properly treated, being properly medicated and working," McCune said.
McCune said he sees the program expanding. It’s currently offered once a month.
