SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- In a few weeks, all officers in Santa Ana will begin issuing digital tickets instead of handing out traditional hand-written citations.
The switch was made last July in an effort by the county to save money, but only about 30 officers have been using the new method.
Cpl. Mark Bell is one of those officers. He pulled over a car in Santa Ana on Wednesday for failing to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk. After 26 years of using pen and paper, he used a digital device to issue the ticket.
"It cuts down about half the time it would normally take me to issue a citation," Bell said.
It took Bell just a few minutes to digitally scan the driver's license information, input the offense and print out a copy of the ticket.
"They're going to get a copy of the citation like they would normally. It's probably a lot easier for them to read since it's all typed out," said Bell.
A driver who is digitally written up has to sign their name on the device's screen. The device also has a camera to take a photo of the driver without needing a license attached with the citation.
"These citations will be filed electronically directly to the court," said Bell.
Bell says the ticket writer and printer cost $2,000 for each officer.
"The County of Orange is trying to save money, and it's going to be a cost saving measure for them," said Bell.
Faced with a $40 million budget shortfall, the Orange County Superior Court urged local law enforcement to make the switch to e-tickets by last July so it could save money on paperwork and processing.
The switch seems to be something that even drivers are welcoming.
"Even though I got a ticket, I was kind of amazed when I first saw the ticket because he actually expedited it very quickly," said Michael Thomas of Costa Mesa. "I don't have a problem with it if it's saving money."