NYPD Expands Enforcement of Congestion Pricing

The NYPD has intensified enforcement against vehicles with fake or obscured license plates in Manhattan's congestion pricing zones, resulting in nearly 200 tickets and multiple arrests since the program's launch on January 5. Officers issued 113 tickets in just six hours on January 8 alone, targeting drivers attempting to evade the $9 toll by covering their plates. The initiative has led to the seizure of over 27 vehicles and highlighted a troubling trend of criminal activities associated with these evasions, as police have recovered drugs and weapons during stops. Notably, artist Scott LoBaido protested the toll by obscuring his license plates and was arrested for disorderly conduct. The program aims to curb toll evasion, which cost the city approximately $700 million in lost revenue last year, while generating nearly $7 billion annually. Since the congestion pricing took effect, law enforcement has conducted numerous joint operations, resulting in thousands of citations and vehicle seizures.