Help Solve Detroit's Financial Crisis

 

Here are some suggestions concerning how you can help solve Detroit's financial crisis. Each of us has the opportunity to contribute. Some of us already have. I, for one, have made my contributions.

 

Parking Violations

One method of contributing that I am going to talk about is parking citations. Here are some examples of the parking violations that are available and the associated fines.

 

Parking within 15' of an intersection

Parking within 20' of a crosswalk

Parking within 30' of a stop sign

Parking facing the wrong way

Parking in an alley

Blocking a driveway

 

The above items are all fined at the rate of $30.00

 

The Parking Violations Bureau is actively patrolling our neighborhood and is aggressively seeking violators to ticket. Don't assume that you can just leave your car "for a second". I have seen them do a u-turn for the chance to ticket a vehicle when the owner pulled up and parked incorrectly behind them.

 

Note: Did you know that the wheels of your vehicle must be within 12" of the curb?

 

Commercial Vehicle Parking

 

Commercial vehicles are not allowed to be parked in a residential area except when they are performing a service. Even then there must be evidence of activity. A loading sign in the window of the vehicle would help. This ordinance includes moving vans and U-Haul type rental trucks. I have seen neighbors who parked a rental truck overnight get a ticket for this. The fine for violation of the commercial vehicle ordinance is $100.00. That is a serious contribution.

 

H.C. Parking

 

Another good way to contribute is to illegally park in a H.C. parking space at a store or business. Your fine will be $100.00.

 

Street Sweeping

Two or three times during the summer, the city sweeps the streets. When this happens you will need to find room in your driveway or garage for all your vehicles. They will do entire streets so if you don't have room to park on your lot, you will have to find a place to park around the corner on an adjacent street. Be careful how and where you park. This is an opportunity to make a mistake and get a ticket. It is also nice to let you neighbor know that you are parking in front of his house for the day because the streets are being swept. The street sweeping department is supposed to place signs on every block prior to sweeping to allow you time to move your vehicles. I have found that sometimes the signs are not posted on every block as they should be. It's a good idea to remain aware of when they are sweeping in the neighborhood. I even call the street sweeping department to find out when they will be in our area and then keep a sharp eye open for them. Parking enforcement comes through early in the morning of the appointed day and tickets vehicles that haven't been removed. In addition to the fine, you don't get the street swept at your house. Ask me how I know all this so well!

 

Snow Emergencies

During the winter the city can call a snow emergency. Vehicles must be removed from designated streets so they can be plowed. This doesn't apply to the interior residential streets of our community. But we have a private snow removal service that plows when there is a certain accumulation. While no ticket is involved, it is a good idea to move your vehicles so they can plow curb to curb and save you a lot of extra shoveling. By the way, have you contributed to the snow fund that pays for this service?  

 

Other Parking Fines

The fine for improperly parking at a meter is $20.00.

 

Conclusion

The above items are just a sampling of the ways that are available to contribute. These are just some of the most popular violations. There are many more ordinances covering parking in the City of Detroit. For more complete information check the City of Detroit parking ordinances.

 

The reason that I have written this is simply to inform and educate. When I moved to the neighborhood I didn't know these rules, and the cost to me was at least $120.00. That is money I would like to have spent elsewhere. Here's hoping that with this information, you can avoid making contributions yourself.

 

Bill Czygan 11 May 2006 bczygan@yahoo.com