Parking Wars

By Iesha Coburn

 

The parking meters in Windsor are in questionable condition according to some college students and people using them downtown.

The Commissionaires have been in charge of issuing tickets for the City of Windsor Parking Enforcement since 2010, and although the headquarters claim that the meters work perfectly fine there are citizens who believe the contrary.

“I’m forced to park at these meters at least twice a week and at least once a week the meter doesn’t accept my coins,” said Sherri Mann, a Windsorite who owns a vehicle and parks downtown frequently. “The least they can do is have working meters. Every time an issue occurs, they (parking enforcement) act as though I’m in the wrong, and say that I need to pay the fine that may happen from the machine not accepting my money.”

 

Mann has the most issues with meters on University Ave., around downtown Windsor.

 

Parking enforcement is a service through the municipal government. They have permission to issue fines to a citizen with a vehicle, and also offer assistance with obtaining permits to park on certain residential streets, or information on where to park in the city.

 

“You want to document (the issue) it with 311,” said Jessica, an agent of City of Windsor Parking Enforcement, who did not give her last name.

 

311 is like a union for Windsor residents, giving them a chance to document things that they feel are not in their best interest. 311 can give assistance to the situation or advice on how to deal with it.

 

“You call 311 and give all the information about the meter. If you receive a ticket, you now have a tracking number, you call to report it, and then you can fill out a screening form to dispute the ticket,” said Jessica.

 

Even though Parking Enforcement gives steps to resolving this issue, the main focus is for the faulty meters to be fixed.

 

“I’m tired of being given the run-around. They act like I’m being cheap by complaining about a one dollar meter when in reality it’s about the principle,” said Mann.

The meters located on Victoria and University Ave have been tested by the city and deemed to be in perfect working condition. However, ask any student that parks on that street if they feel the same way, or, take a walk down Victoria Ave North on any given day and see if there are meters in service and working perfectly. Parking Enforcement may need to test the meters on a more regular basis.