The Department of Public Works’ Parking Enforcement Section has initiated changes in the procedure to report illegally parked cars on non-residential private property. Those who report a car illegally parked on private property must now; 1) possess a valid government issued identification card or document that match the name of the complainant who called to make the complaint and; 2) be listed as the owner or agent of the property on the Department of Neighborhood Services webpage. In the past, some complaints had been made by those who did not possess the authority to file the complaints regarding illegally parked vehicles.
Once on the scene of the address where the complaint is made the Parking Enforcement Officer validates the identification and places that information on a form used to document the complaint. The form lists the vehicle that is cited, the name of the complainant and the authority the complainant possesses to make the complaint. The form provides Parking Enforcement with the confidence that they are dealing with a person who has the legal authority to report illegally parked cars. The form also states that that the complainant has examined each vehicle to verify that the complainant has not been granted permission for the vehicle to park on the property.
In 2009 1,832 vehicles were towed off of private property. In 2010, this number jumped to 2,736 because more businesses engaged towing contractors to patrol their parking lots. The new policy will help to protect citizens who are legally parked.
