Photo: William Andrew / Photographer's Choice RF / Getty Images
Beda Koorey, a 76-year-old retiree from Huntington, New York, is facing an unusual predicament due to her love of Star Trek. Despite having stopped driving in 2020 and surrendering her license plates, Koorey continues to receive traffic tickets from across the United States. Her former custom license plate, which honored the USS Enterprise NCC-1701, has become a source of trouble.
Koorey receives tickets for various infractions, including speeding, running red lights, and parking violations. She even received a call from an Ohio police chief about a robbery involving a car with the same NCC-1701 plate. The fines have accumulated to tens of thousands of dollars, a burden she cannot afford on her fixed income.
The issue arises from the availability of Star Trek novelty plates online, which people can purchase for as little as $15. These plates are being used illegally, leading to tickets being sent to Koorey, whose name remains associated with the plate number in the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) system.
According to Vice, the New York DMV acknowledges the problem but states that it is a law enforcement issue. They have since found that Koorey's name is still tied to the plate. She is now working with the New York City Department of Finance to dispute the violations.
Koorey expressed her frustration, telling WCBS, "I've run out of ink. I've run out of stamps," as she attempts to address each summons. The situation has left her overwhelmed, with her name and address being used for tickets she does not owe.