Providence will ramp up parking enforcement

PROVIDENCE – The city is ramping up its enforcement of parking laws, issuing tickets to vehicles parked at expired parking meters or those that exceed posted curbside parking limits for all hours that parking regulations are in effect.
The city’s current parking ordinance will be “fully enforced” from Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to a statement issued last month from Mayor Angel Tavares’ office. Posted one- and two-hour parking limits will be enforced and drivers need to “feed the meter” during the enforcement time posted on signs, the statement said.
The cash-strapped city is hoping that more strictly enforcing existing traffic ordinances could generate much-needed revenue. Last year, parking meters generated $1.3 million. The city is currently losing at least 35 percent of its meter revenue annually due to under-enforcement, the statement said.
Full enforcement was made possible in part by the city’s recent agreement with Public Employees Local 1033, which will create flexible work schedules for parking-enforcement officers without additional overtime. In the past, the city did not issue parking tickets on Saturdays and weekdays after about 3 p.m. to avoid overtime costs that would exceed income generated by parking enforcement.
The city also advised drivers to purchase a ProvPass, which allows drivers to avoid carrying change to feed meters. The pass can be purchased at City Hall, the Public Safety Complex or at the downtown AAA office. •