ROCKLAND — Rockland currently has more than 1,316 unpaid parking tickets, totaling more than $25,900, including late fees, dating back to 2009.

Of that total, Police Chief Bruce Boucher said 30 individuals are responsible for 170 unpaid violations totaling $3,685. One person is responsible for 14 tickets, two people for 10 and 12, respectively, and the rest taper down to a minimum of three tickets.

Today, when an individual accumulates three unpaid parking tickets, their name is automatically put on the "boot" list. That means, their vehicle is subject to being disabled by a metal tire-locking device and towed by the police.

Since 2007, when Rockland acquired a tire-lock device and created an ordinance for its use, 24 vehicles have been booted. There are currently 19 on the city's boot list, and by March 13, if they haven't paid their overdue tickets, all 30 of those mentioned above will be on the list.

But alas, all is not lost. Rockland is giving anyone holding an unpaid and overdue city parking ticket a 30-day window to pay the original ticket amount and be done, as the city is waiving all late fees.

And that goes for the 19 individuals currently on the city's boot list and the pending 11, all responsible for a trunkful of unpaid tickets. Boucher said it's these people who they will be searching for late next month.

"Now is the time to pay. If you have a ticket, come in during the amnesty period and pay it. After March 26, we're ready to rock 'n roll. Troy is anxious to use the boot," said Boucher.

The city announced its Parking Ticket Amnesty Program Feb. 20, calling it a "golden opportunity to save money" and a "goodwill gesture to citizens to clear their record at a reduced rate" ahead of implementation of vehicle disabling device used to force scofflaws to pay up.

The "one-time-only" amnesty program was created to increase revenues from uncollected tickets and to assist people in paying off their tickets so they don't avoid parking downtown for fear of their car being booted.

The Parking Ticket Amnesty Program is in effect from Monday, Feb. 25 through Tuesday, March 26, 2013. During this timeframe, all late penalties will be temporarily removed from outstanding parking tickets and the ticket holder is responsible for the original ticket amount only.

Tickets in hand that incur a penalty during the amnesty program timeframe are also eligible for amnesty. Also, tickets that have already been sent to the city clerk's office for payment and tickets that are in "Appeal" status will be eligible for amnesty.

Those paying tickets under the amnesty program will lose their right to challenge the ticket, according to the rules of the program.

To pay a ticket during the amnesty program, ticket holders must walk in to the Rockland Police Department at 1 Police Plaza (Park Street) and pay in person.

To find out if you are on Rockland's overdue parking ticket list, call 207-594-0317 or visit the police department in person. You will need your vehicle's registration number to complete the inquiry.