Changes in enforcement of parking lot violations

Every year the Presque Isle Police Department responds to numerous complaints from area businesses requesting that their parking lots be cleared of vehicles and non-paying customers.  Officers for years have been finding themselves continually moving the same vehicles and individuals from lot to lot throughout the evening night after night.
With summer in full swing the Presque Isle Police Department will be dealing with complaints of parking lot violations differently than in years past. The Presque Isle City Council recently approved an amendment to the parking city ordinance to help assist officers and business owners to deal with this problem. A portion of the current parking ordinance currently reads: “No occupied vehicles shall be stopped or allowed to stand in any business parking lot unless said occupants are actively conducting business at that establishment. The Chief of Police or his designee shall receive written notice from the business owner that they want this Ordinance enforced and the lot must have a sign conspicuously posted that reads: “NO PARKING in this lot except for customers during business hours. Violators are subject to prosecution under City of Presque Isle Ordinance Chapter 5 – Traffic Regulations, Article 5 – Parking, Section 14.” The fine for violating this section is listed on Page 9 of the Ordinance under Section B, Restricted Parking, which is $15.
Officers will be approaching local business owners over the next few days to determine if they want this ordinance enforced on their property. If the owner requests this enforcement on their property they will be required to conspicuously post a sign on their lot with the following wording: “NO PARKING in this lot except for customers during business hours. Violators are subject to prosecution under City of Presque Isle Ordinance Chapter 5- Traffic Regulations, Article 5 – Parking, Section 14”. These signs can be purchased locally for as little as $40 and need to be put into place before enforcement will take place. The business owners will also be asked to sign a letter stating they want the individuals removed from their premises if they are loitering. If the owner does not want this ordinance enforced then individuals and vehicles will not be asked to leave their respective parking lot(s).
The Presque Isle Police Department will issue warnings for the first week as well as distribute to violators a list of the businesses that wish to have this ordinance enforced. After the initial warning period if an officer finds a vehicle parked in a parking lot and the occupants are not doing business at that establishment, the vehicle will receive a parking ticket for “restricted parking” and the registered owner will be responsible for paying a $15 ticket. If the ticket is not paid, the fine will increase and the registered owner will receive a notice explaining this.
If the ticket is not paid after the first letter, the vehicles registered owner will receive a second notice explaining the amount has once again increased and needs to be addressed. If the ticket is not paid after the two mail warnings the registered owner will be summonsed to court for failing to pay a parking ticket, which if found guilty is a lot higher fine than the original $15.
It is the intention of the Presque Isle Police Department to get voluntary compliance from the individuals who have been ignoring the many warnings officers have given them over the years to remain out of the posted parking lots. Business owners who have questions or concerns should contact me.
Sgt. Joey D. Seeley is the Crime Prevention Officer of the Presque Isle Police Department. He can be reached at 764-4476.