There are illegally registered cars in Haverhill for all the same reasons there are in Lawrence. Those who register cars in New Hampshire pay no sales tax on the purchase of their vehicles - a $1,000 savings on a $20,000 vehicle. They pay no excise taxes to the city - a source worth $5.2 million in revenue in 2005.
But the biggest savings comes from avoiding high urban insurance rates. Insurance premiums in Haverhill are not as high as they are in Lawrence - among the most expensive communities in Massachusetts in which to insure a car - but they are more expensive than in the rural communities of Southern New Hampshire.
It's difficult for police to track illegally registered vehicles. A New Hampshire car parked in a Haverhill driveway may belong to a visiting friend or family member. Police would have to stop and ask find the owner of each vehicle - an impossible task.
So the city is encouraging neighbors who know the owners of New Hampshire-registered cars are living next door to call a tip line - 978-373-1212 (press 9). They are leaving fliers on suspected illegal vehicles warning drivers to register them properly within 30 days. Once identified, they will issue citations and tow improperly registered vehicles.
Taking a cue from Lawrence, Haverhill police are also searching accident reports from the past year involving vehicles with New Hampshire plates. Those found to have used a false address in the filing of insurance claims will be charged with insurance fraud.
The effort aims at making the savings from illegally registering a car in New Hampshire not worth the risk of criminal and civil penalties. That's the proper approach. This illegal behavior exists because there's money to be made. Take away the savings and the behavior will end.
People who live by the law should not have to watch their neighbors get away with what amounts to theft. We're happy to see a crackdown on illegal registrations in Lawrence, Haverhill and elsewhere along the New Hampshire border.
