Illegal Stop Sign Raising Questions About Citations Issued By State Police
By: Andy Mehalshick
Updated: January 21, 2013
Hazle Twp., Luzerne County--- Anthony Stanziola said he knew something was wrong when he was issued a citation for $110 by a State Trooper after he ran a stop sign near Lattimer. Stanziola learned that the sign was not placed there legally in that Hazle Township Supervisors never passed an Ordinance approving the placement of the stop sign at the intersection of Hillside Drive and Louis Schiavo Drive near Lattimer. Stanziola said, "If we motorists are expected to follow the signs or traffic control devices then so should the police or municipalities that install those signs. I just feel that if I got a raw deal so did other drivers who did not look into the situation and just paid the ticket." Hazle Township Supervisors admitted that they did not properly place the sign and sent a letter to Stanziola stating that in December. Stanziola appealed his guilty verdict in District Court to Luzerne County Court. A Judge ruled that State Police were correct in issuing the citation since they presumed the sign was placed their properly. Stanziola is now appealing the Luzerne County Court ruling to State Superior Court.
