Hidalgo on fake paper car tags: 'We have known all along that this was a threat'

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia discussed a new report on Tuesday (April 26) which showed the negative impact of fake paper car tags during the past half decade, according to a report from Houston NBC affiliate KPRC.

The analysis revealed that fraudulent paper tags have cost the county approximately $80 million, per KPRC.

"We have known all along that this was a threat and now we have the receipts," Hidalgo said, Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported.

KTRK reported that nearly two million vehicles statewide lacked real plates, costing Texas approximately $125 million in registration fees annually. Such funds could've covered several things, Garcia said.

"This is money that could have gone to improving our mobility, improving our road rage, improving our drainage, improving our community, supporting law enforcement, but that money is lost," Garcia, a former law enforcement veteran, said, according to the station.

KPRC reported that Houston bears the unenviable reputation of being "ground zero" for bogus license plates.

The report determined that the number of crimes and other offenses that involved fake tags jumped 306% between 1,705 fiscal year (FY) 2016 to 6,920 last fiscal year, the station reported.

According to KTRK, people use fake paper tags to evade tolls or don't carry valid insurance.

Garcia recalled how a friend of his who used to operate a used car lot would guard cardboard tags with his life, the station reported. 

A state law that went into effect earlier this year ensures that potential criminals have no leeway, per KTRK.

"We now require dealers to set a limit on how many paper tags they can print," the county judge said, according to the station. "There are also some finger print requirements, and locally we are very proud of our 'Tag You're It' initiative that launched in January."