There is good news for some 20,000 people who received citations for speeding through school zones in Buffalo recently.
The company that mails out the citations, Massachusetts-based Sensys Gatso, issued a statement Monday saying the citations were accurate, but they went out after the statutory mailing date. That means motorists don't have to pay and those who have already paid will be issued refunds.
"The mail delivery of these citations was delayed due to a severe ice storm in the Midwest the week of October 26th, affecting both our fulfillment processing center and the United States Postal Service," the company said.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said the pandemic also complicated the mailing.
"My Administration has spoken with the vendor at their highest level to express our disappointment and is committed to holding Sensys Gatso accountable for this situation while ensuring that an error like this does not occur again," Brown said in his own statement.
Those who don't have to pay their citations have begun being notified, said Sensys Gatso.
As a result of the delay, the City and Sensys Gatso have agreed to use a local fulfillment center "as soon as possible" and plans for a local call center will be developed in partnership with the City Economic Development Division. The company said that will produce some local jobs, but did not say how many.
Brown said anyone with questions regarding a citation should call 311.
