More than 4,000 show up to pay outstanding Detroit ticket balances

DETROIT - Massive lines stretched from 36th District Court all the way to Ford Field Tuesday.

Thousands took the city of Detroit up on an offer to eliminate the fees from their outstanding traffic tickets.

There was plenty of impatience in a long line outside court, full of people trying to get in on a holiday deal on outstanding ticket balances.

Chris Witherspoon, has outstanding ticket

"This is very ridiculous, this is terrible," said Chris Witherspoon. "People down here are trying to do the positive thing and just trying to pay their tickets."

For the first time, the city offered a special for people overdue on their violations. On Monday and Tuesday all late and warrant fees were waived for those willing to finally come in and pay off their tickets.

People in one section of the line were waiting since 8 a.m.

"I feel like it's ridiculous because we've got senior citizens out here with no Porta Potties, no hot tea, nothing you can buy and eat," said Carmelle Davenport.

The response was a shock to everybody. A crowd of more than 4,000 over the two days stood in line for hours, hoping to start 2016 with a clean slate.

LaWanda Crosby, traffic criminal director

"We know there are a lot of people in the city of Detroit who would like to get their license cleared so we did expect a crowd," said LaWanda Crosby, traffic criminal director. "However we got more than what we expected but that's a great thing."

Court clerks put in overtime to accommodate the crowd, for those they couldn't get to, the city is offering a 30-day rain check on the deal for anyone was standing in line.

The crowd outside was still not satisfied.

D Crutcher, has outstanding ticket

"They should just do this more than once a year, maybe once a week," said D. Crutcher. "Because obviously these people are not out here trying to evade nobody, they're trying to do the right thing."