Police in a central New Jersey town have written tickets worth $163,000 this year to motorists for allegedly using handicap parking placards that belong to dead relatives.

Bridgewater police are using computers to check the serial numbers on the tags.

Police Chief Richard Borden tells The Courier News of Bridgewater the town is a "target rich environment" because it is home to one of the state's largest malls and several major shopping centers.

As of last week, officers issued 451 handicap parking summonses worth $256 a piece, and 340 improper use of handicap placard and 27 improper placard display summonses each worth $56. Court costs are an additional $33 a ticket.

State Motor Vehicle Commission records show 446,769 people were registered for a handicap parking placard as of June 4.  

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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