Of the municipalities in Missouri that provided court data to the state, Velda City had the sixth-highest rate last year of traffic cases filed per square mile per year: more than 25,000. Police Chief Daniel Paulino estimates that a quarter of the city’s residents are fugitives of its court.

Paulino said he hopes other St. Louis County municipalities follow suit with warrant forgiveness.

“We feel something needs to be done right now to help ease the tension and build that rapport back with local law enforcement, and at the same time still hold (those charged) accountable,” Paulino said.

He stressed that it was important for people to pay something for their offenses. By charging nominal fees, people who have skipped court dates for traffic tickets can “still be held responsible, and they can break that cycle and move on with their lives.”

Some municipalities started amnesty programs of their own in the aftermath of the Aug. 9 shooting of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer. The incident sparked protests that included demands to improve operations in police departments and municipal courts.