Some changes in the works for the Erie Parking Authority.
Specifically, for the way it enforces handicap parking regulations.
It's because a lot of people are abusing those regulations.
The parking authority found that lots of prime parking, 75 plus meters a day, in downtown Erie are being taken up, most illegally.
For several weeks this past summer, we monitored the issue.
We found the same vehicles, parking pretty much in the same spots, all day long, with an expired meter.
They'd put up a handicap placard, and never get a ticket.
Some of the placards are legal, many others aren't. Meaning the authority believes people are using placards of relatives or friends, and parking for free all day.
It's become such widespread abuse, that the parking authority is changing their policy of "looking the other way."
The changes come after Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott met with people with disability advocates, and determined there was a real problem.
"The goal is to provide better access in the downtown for all, people with disabilities and just people coming in to downtown to do business. We owe it to people that have invested in the downtown to have their businesses, or people coming down to go to county government, or city government or the federal courthouse or anything else that they may need access to, or to just come down and do their business." Said Ray Massing, Executive Director of the Parking Authority.
The parking authority will have an adjustment period, they'll distribute brochures to people in violation, after that few weeks, they'll start citing.
What kind of fine are we talking? Violations will face $100 dollar fine plus costs, so it'll be a nearly $200 fine.
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