Starting today, downtown parking violations are being enforced
for the first time since 2004, the police department has announced.
To help smooth the adjustment, though, there will be a three-week
period when warnings will be given for overtime parking. But other
parking violations such as red-zone parking or parking next to a
fire hydrant will be subject to a citation.
HOLLISTER
Starting today, downtown parking violations are being enforced for the first time since 2004, the police department has announced.
The Hollister City Council approved the reinstatement of parking enforcement in May and since that point, the police department has bought a Jeep Wrangler and has hired a temporary community services officer to handle enforcement, until the agency finds a full-time person.
To help smooth the adjustment, though, there will be a three-week period when warnings will be given for overtime parking. But other parking violations such as red-zone parking or parking next to a fire hydrant will be subject to a citation.
Police Chief Jeff Miller said that the department has responded to parking complaints in the past few years, but it has not been proactive in enforcement.
“I think there have been a lot of parking violations downtown that we haven’t been able to enforce.”
For the first year of operation, the police department is looking to have a net operating expense of $12,670 – after purchasing the vehicle and taking into account wages and supplies.
However, in the second year of operation, there are projections of a net income of about $15,270, taking into consideration that the department will not have to buy another vehicle and the initials costs will be out of the way.
“We’re looking at a net gain (of) about $2,600,” Miller said, by the end of year No. 2.
The areas included are stretches from Third Street to South Street downtown. Several city-owned parking lots also are included in the enforcement and are posted with limited hours signs.
The revised fines include a $15 increase for overtime parking, taking the amount for a ticket to $35.
The following are some other amounts for parking penalties:
– $300: Parking in spaces designated for disabled persons
– $50: Parking within parkways; parking adjacent to schools; parking in areas where stopping, standing or parking is prohibited at all times; parking on narrow streets; and parking within curb markings
– $40: Greasing or repairing vehicles on streets; no parking between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.; parking auxiliary trucks on residential streets other than for loading/unloading; and violating loading zone restrictions
– $30: All other violations under Title 10 of the municipal code
Look back for more and see the Pinnacle on Friday for a full story.
