SUNBURY - In an effort to collect more than $25 million from wanted individuals, people delinquent in child support payments and others who owe court costs and fines, Northumberland County officials will lease two billboards for $750 a year to post photos of approximately 700 offenders to shame them into paying.
The collaborative effort, which was officially approved Thursday by the county cost collection task force, is being headed by Prothonotary Justin Dunkelberger, Sheriff Robert Wolfe and Chief Probation Officer Jim Cortelyou. The cost of leasing the billboards will be shared by the prothonotary, sheriff and probation offices.
Dunkelberger said he hopes to start posting the photos on billboards June 1.
He said a billboard company has agreed to make mid-month changes to the signs if offenders make payments.
Dunkelberger said county officials also will post active warrants on Facebook, a practice currently used by Montour County to solicit tips from the public about the whereabouts of the delinquents.
According to the prothonotary, as many as 31 sheriff departments and more than 100 police departments use Facebook to make public communications. But only Allegheny County, which covers Pittsburgh, uses billboards to display violators.
Dunkelberger said there are currently more than 600 open warrants for court costs plus an additional 100-plus domestic and criminal warrants.
The prothonotary thanked Wolfe, Cortelyou, President Judge William H. Wiest and the commissioners for their continued support in going after delinquents.
As of 2014, $3.6 million was owed by 552 parents in the county. Dunkelberger said 2015 figures are still being compiled.
He said cost collection has improved dramatically, noting approximately $800,000 has been taken in since the beginning of the year. At the current collection rate, Dunkelberger said he expects the county to exceed last year's collection by 40 percent.
Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi applauded the aggressive efforts against the delinquents.
"I support it 100 percent," he said Thursday. "We must go after the deadbeats because they have to support their children. The children are the innocent victims here and they deserve better from their parents."
Clausi said better collection methods for fines, costs and child support payments have been discussed many times in the past, but have finally become a reality. He added, "It is very necessary in our county to do whatever is required to increase the collection rate."