Violations Configuration
Sort Violations for Quick Access
The Challenge
When selecting an Offence, is there a way to change the order so that I can more quickly access it as opposed to scrolling down a long list?"
The Approach
It is possible to add some order to the list by adding spaces to the beginning of the violation name. In the example below we will reorder the list using this method.
Changing Alphabetic Order
The basic concept that we are taking advantage of the fact a <space> character comes before everything in the ASCII character table. So prefix a space (or multiple) will list first.
- <space><space>zebra
- <space>telephone
- apple
- bottle
An Example
As a practical example of this we will look at a sample list of violations where we'd like to change the sort order. To do so follow these steps.
Click Admin Options, Violations, Manage Ticket Offence Items.
On the 'Manage Ticket Offence Items' screen, click the Offence Types drop down picker.
In our example we will select Private Property as the ticket type.
This will open another screen with the list of Violations under the Private Property ticket type.
Another Example
In this example we will change the sort order so that Parked in No Parking Area lists first, Parked Blocking Fire Hydrant list second and the rest of the violations list in alphabetical order after that.
- Click on 'Parked in No Parking Area' to select it. The screen will refresh with the Entry information for the violation.
- Add a single space to the beginning of the Violation Type Description
- Click on Save Violation Type
Note the resulting list now shows Parked in No Parking Area as first.
If we do the same process with Parked Blocking Fire Hydrant the listing will change once again putting the violation to the top of the list.
The space worked to bring the item up in the list but the list still sorts in alphabetical order placing Parked Blocking Fire Hydrant first.
However we want this violation to be second in the listing.
To move 'Parked in No Parking Area' back on top add a second space to the beginning of the Violation Type Description and save the violation type.
Ticket Offence Items
Managing Ticket Offence Items
Hover over the Admin Options icon and click Violations then Manage Ticket Offence Items.
The Manage Ticket Offence Items screen lists the available Ticket Types and their associated offences.
The default view will be Unassigned Offence Items.
Add New Offence Item
In this example we will add a violation type to Private Property. Click on Add New Offence Item
The screen will refresh with eh blank violation entry form.
Note: The Parked in Loading Zone text is for placement only and simple stands as an example.
Edit this text to reflect the name of the violation you wish to configure.
In our example here we are setting up Parked With No Proof Of Payment and selecting Private Property as the category.
Applying Discounts to Violations In the Future
It is possible that you could issue a violation in the system with an offence item that had the Apply Discount button toggled off by accident or in the past. If you would like to apply a discount to these violations, you need to toggle the Apply Discount button as well as update the violation in question. Please follow this short video that demonstrates how we can do this.
Setting the Fine Amount
We can now set up the basic monetary perimeters of this violation. (See image below)
In this example the fine amount is set at $30.00
The Apply Discount state is selected in order to allow the discount to apply.
The discount amount is set to $10.00 and the number of days where the discount applies is set to 14.
Which means:
The fine is $30.00 but a discount of $10.00 will be applied if the fine is paid within 14 days making the collected fine $20.00.
After 14 days the discount does not apply and the collected fine will be the full $30.00.
Click on Save Ticket Offence Item to save this configuration.
You will be returned to the list view with your new offence listed below the Ticket Type.
Optional Configurations
Key
The Key field is typically used by clients who want to indicate tracking codes for violations.
By-Law Code
The By-Law Code field is used by municipalities to send violations to court for collections. It is a text field that accepts 20 alpha-numeric characters.
Ticket Offence Items can be deleted if there are no violations written for that particular violation. Once the violation has been used the violation can be archived but not deleted.
They are archived in order to preserve the integrity of any data associated with this Offence Item.
Adjust Fine Amount
By selecting the "Adjust Fine Amount" box in the ticket configuration screen this will allow the patrol officer to change the fine amount i the field on the handheld unit. By default this feature is turned off and the fine amount will appear on the handheld unit as a grey text figure amount and it can not be edited.
Once turned on however the fine amount will be in black text and officers will have the ability to edit the amount. Scenarios where this may be useful is for example, are repeat offenders or multiple offences. The officers can, at their discretion, increase the ticket amount and add a note explaining the augmentation of the fine due to repeat violations. Conversely, the fine may be reduced in some cases. When giving multiple violations for example should you not want to charge the full amount of two or three combined violations, the officer can adjust the fine amount lower in accordance with your business rules.
Administration Fees
You can create admin fees to be used in the system by selecting the Administrative Fee checkbox. This is useful for Conviction Fees or Booting Fees.
It is also important to note that items designated as Administration fees do not show on the Handheld units. They will only be visible on the admin interface.
In our example below we are setting up an $20.00 administration fee charged for removing a boot from a vehicle.
Click on the Administration Fee box to toggle it on. This will make it so the offence item is no longer synced with the handheld stopping patrol officers from having the option to select this offence item in the future.
Set the Fine Amount to $20.00
Click on Save Ticket Offence Item to save the item
Helpful information
Ordering the list of Violation Types
If you would like to sort the list of violations in a specific order the system will sort the list alphanumerically. Therefore if you number the Violations Type Description they will appear in the order you number them both on the admin interface as well as the handheld unit.
Spaces also work; a space is considered higher than an 'A'.. So you can prefix the offences with spaces to assist with the sort order.
For example:
<space><space>Zebra offence
<space>Test offence
A test offence
Violations Setup
Ticket Categories
How to Edit Ticket Types
Hover over the Admin Options icon and click 'Violations' then 'Manage Ticket Categories'
The 'Manage Ticket Types' screen will display. You will see a list of ticket types that currently exist. From this menu you can add or edit Ticket Types.
Note: Ticket Types can be hidden from handheld devices. This setting can be changed by Ticket Type. See Administration Fee below.
Click 'Edit Type' next to Municipal. This opens the options for that ticket type. Enable 'Visible on Handhelds' to toggle whether or not this ticket type will be available on the handheld units. Other options will be available to you if you have purchased the Violations Plus Module.
Violations Plus users can chose the following:
- Enable Failed to Identify - This is used when giving violations to users who fail to produce their ID. You can chose to log the violation against their vehicle instead.
- Violation Applies To - Vehicles - This the standard way to issue tickets for parking infractions.
- Violation Applies To - Users - This is used to issue infractions to Users, such as Smoking or Trespassing where a vehicle may not be involved.
Remember to click 'Save Ticket Type' after making changes.
Ticket Types can be deleted, however they are not actually removed from the system. They are archived to preserve the integrity of any data associated with this Ticket Type.
Add New Ticket Type
To add a new ticket type click 'Add New Ticket Type'. A blank form will appear.
In this example we will add Bicycle as a New Ticket Type.
- Ticket Type Name = Bicycle
- Allow it to be Visible on Handhelds
If you have Violations Plus you can enable the following options: - Select both Vehicle and Users for Violation Applies To
- You also have an option to enable "Fail to Identify"
Click 'Save Ticket Type'. The list will now include Bicycle as a Ticket Type.
Personal Violations
Ops-Com offers the ability to write up a violation against an individual person. These types of offences could include violations for smoking, alcohol related offences, personal conduct, etc.
When configuring this type of category simply select "Applies to" Users only,
