Modernizing Municipal Enforcement: A Conversation on Technology, Efficiency, and ROI

By Trent Anderson, Head of Marketing and Strategy, and John Holland, Strategic Sales Executive at T2 Systems

In today’s fast-evolving municipal landscape, the pressure on public safety departments to do more with less has never been greater. Staffing shortages, budget constraints, and rising expectations from constituents are forcing agencies to rethink how they operate. One area ripe for transformation is parking enforcement—a space where technology can deliver immediate and measurable impact. Trends include the increased use of license plate recognition (LPR) technology, digital and contactless payment options, and the integration of mobility services. 

We sat down with John Holland, a retired police chief and now Strategic Sales Executive at T2 Systems, to discuss how municipalities can leverage modern enforcement systems to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and even generate revenue.

From Paper to Productivity: A Firsthand Transformation

Holland’s journey from traditional enforcement methods to digital transformation began in his own department. “We were writing 18,000 tickets a year by hand,” he recalls. “Every single one had to be typed into a computer by a clerk whose full-time job was just that. When we switched to electronic ticketing, that problem evaporated.”

The result? That same clerk was reassigned to more critical work in the police records bureau — without the need to hire additional staff. “No police department will tell you they have more people than they need,” Holland says. “If you can get more out of your people, that’s a win.”

The ROI of Automation

Holland is a strong advocate for viewing enforcement technology as a “force multiplier.” He challenges departments to ask themselves: What’s your time worth? “There’s nothing more wasteful in municipal operations than redundant data entry,” he says. “If you can eliminate 50% of the labor associated with a task, why wouldn’t you?”

The return on investment is clear. Not only does automation reduce administrative overhead, but it also enables departments to reallocate resources to higher-value tasks—without increasing headcount.

Overcoming Budget Barriers

One of the most common blockers Holland  encounters is budget. Unlike capital improvement projects like pay stations, enforcement software typically comes out of the operating budget. “That can be a challenge,” he admits. “But there are creative ways to find the funds.”

Holland shares how, as a chief in New Jersey, he would analyze year-end payroll projections and transfer surplus salary funds into operating expenses to invest in technology. “If you have the cushion in your operating budget, you’re golden,” he says. “And with systems like UPsafety, you can get started for as little as $10,000 in the first year.”

Grants: A Hidden Opportunity

For departments looking beyond their own budgets, grants can be a game-changer. Holland points to the recent $127 million technology grant announced by Governor Kathy Hochul in New York, aimed at helping police departments and sheriff’s offices invest in new technology. “Our system fits perfectly into that niche,” he says. “We even reached out to towns that received funding to show how we could help.”

Governor Hochul’s grant is a prime example of how municipalities can leverage external funding to modernize operations without straining local budgets.

A Smarter Pricing Model

Another key differentiator for T2 Systems is its pricing model. Unlike competitors who take a percentage of revenue, T2 offers fixed pricing. “We don’t care how many tickets you write — your cost stays the same,” Holland explains. “That stability is something departments really appreciate.”

This model has helped T2 win over clients from competitors who rely on revenue-sharing models that can become costly over time. “It’s the gift that keeps on giving—for them, not for you,” Holland  jokes.

Final Thoughts

Holland ’s experience — spanning four decades in law enforcement and over a decade in municipal technology — offers a compelling case for why now is the time to modernize. “You don’t get a lot of opportunities in the municipal world to make this kind of impact,” he says. “But with the right tools and the right mindset, you absolutely can.”