Parking Question

[Jolly Rancher]

Originally Posted by Made in the USA

I have a parking question for our PD members.

I was trying to get my mail at the post office yesterday around 4 pm. There were vehicles parked all along the street everywhere, plus looked like the parking lot behind the County Health Dept was packed. Anyway, after waiting what seemed like "forever", I got a spot in front of the post office. When I went inside, there was only one other person in the place! Does anyone patrol that "5 Minute Parking Zone" anymore?

Thanks!

As I remember, not too long ago, the entire town was up in arms because the police were giving tickets to those stopping on the railroad tracks. I heard that our police should have bigger fish to fry. Now you want a policeman to give tickets at the post office. I am sure that would go over good. I am not against you, I am with you. There is nothing more frustrating that putting up with the arrogant *ssholes in this town that think they don't have to follow rules. Of course, they don't since the rules are not enforced. I hate this town. I would move if I could. I can find a much nicer town with fewer jerks to put up with. There are towns in these United States that are not infiltrated with rude, dirty scumbags. Someday I will get my hubby to move and I will be out of here.

[Army_of_One]

AMEN...and when you go...take us with you!!!!

[sunny beach]

How about hiring somebody to give parking tickets, traffic tickets, etc. Wouldn't have to be a full-fledged Police officer, I wouldn't think, just have a badge and the authority of the police dept. behind him/her. They could even be a part-time employee, with no benefits for the city to pay for, just an hourly wage and some time to enforce the "minor" infractions.

Would that work? Do others think it might be a good idea?

[Made in the USA]

Originally Posted by retired

First, Are there any signs that say 5 min. parking there any more. Yes there are! Second, I heard that the DCPD requested four more officers and were denied them. I understand they are to the limits of being proactive. (not enough officers to handle the call load and do preventive policing) You do not want a reactive police department. They would only take reports and would not usually be able to do any follow up. There was a time in Dodge City when the police department was reactive only and it was not a pretty sight. It is difficult enough to keep good officers here now. If you dont support paying more money to good officers and keep increasing the number of officers you will only have a reactive department and will get behind in being competive in a limited market. I am all for increased pay, benefits, and number of officers. Trust me, I know what these people put up with. I have had some first hand knowledge!

Let the Chief or any supervisor know if you dont agree with the way things are being done, because if they dont know he cant address it.

I was just wondering what type of solution there might be. At one time, there was a "meter maid" marking tires up there, but have not seen that for awhile.

Originally Posted by TexKan

Good advice Retired............... altho it's so much more fun to just whine then complain that things are just in such a mess............... ya gotta get the rules of the game down!!! LOL LOL

Who is "whining"? I was just asking a simple question! Plus, I could take things into my own hands, but you wouldn't like it! Besides the parking, what about all the J-turns, the backing across the street into the parking spots, and I had a hit and run there that damaged by vehicle extensively.

Originally Posted by youngwhippersnapper

I would support an act in Dodge to increase pay and insurance benefits if it would help to expand the police force.

We have money in this town for all kinds of BS, why can't we take care of our public servants??

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

..and where would you get the money for that? Would you raise taxes and if so on who or would you cut the budget and if so where?

Hell, we spend WND money on every damn thing in town! Why can't we use it for something good for a change!

Originally Posted by Jolly Rancher

As I remember, not too long ago, the entire town was up in arms because the police were giving tickets to those that were stopping on the railroad tracks. The only ones that were up in arms were the ones that were violating the law and getting citations. I heard that our police should have bigger fish to fry. Now you want a policeman to give tickets at the post office. Again, I was just asking a question. I did not say I was asking the PD to issue tickets! I am sure that would go over good. I am not against you, I am with you. There is nothing more frustrating that putting up with the arrogant *ssholes in this town that think they don't have to follow rules. Of course, they don't since the rules are not enforced. Sometimes it seems more like "selective enforcement". But when the US Government won't even enforce its own rules, what does that promote? I hate this town. I would move if I could. I can find a much nicer town with fewer jerks to put up with. There are towns in these United States that are not infiltrated with rude, dirty scumbags. The politics of this town, as with many others, all boils down to $$$$ money. Someday I will get my hubby to move and I will be out of here.

[ChooPaKaToo]

Originally Posted by sunny beach

How about hiring somebody to give parking tickets, traffic tickets, etc. Wouldn't have to be a full-fledged Police officer, I wouldn't think, just have a badge and the authority of the police dept. behind him/her. They could even be a part-time employee, with no benefits for the city to pay for, just an hourly wage and some time to enforce the "minor" infractions.

Would that work? Do others think it might be a good idea?

If I getta wear a sparkly badge and piss people off by handing out $50 tickets

I'd do it for FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Army_of_One]

Then people would complain. It's a double edged sword. WHen all the laws are enforced some people will complain. When they aren't, others complain. You can't please everyone. I think they should enforce the laws and give tickets. IF we had someone to do that exclusively it would be nice.

[tat2me82]

I've seen the meter maid around here and there, but not sure if she has hours in certain spots or how that works. I've seen her a few times in the downtown area, but not too often.


I've lived here for quite a while and there's usually always a traffic jam on that street in front of the post office on fridays, people want to wait forever on a spot and have traffic lined up for days behind them. grr that's so irritating!! that goes for people that park on the railroad tracks too... I can read the sign that says "do not park on the railroad tracks" .. I will also obey that to the fullest to ensure that I and whoever else is in my car doesn't get smashed up by a train..

[FuzzmanKs]

In our community the Post Office is across the street from a sports complex. We have the same problem here in that you can't get a parking spot at the PO when a sporting event is taking place. In our situation it doesn't do any good to write tickets to those cars because they will still be there and taking up those spaces until the event is over. Other people won't know or realize the cars have been ticketed and will think that it is okay to park there the next time there is an event. It's the "masses" that need to be educated about the parking situation and not just the half dozen people who got caught that day.

The "best" solution here is to tow off the vehicles to an Impound. That frees up the space immediately and usually if it is in the middle of a game or event, no new attendee's will park there...and thus open to PO customers. It does tie up a street officer while they jot down the tag and time, then come back 20 minutes later, varify the same cars are in the spot, then wait for the tow truck to arrive and wait while the tow is taken to the Impound and returns for the next car. Very, very time consuming. Usually the cars are from out of town. Oh yeah, they saw the sign that is in front of every stall that says 15 miniute parking, 24 hours-a-day, and tow away at owners expense. But they all assume that didn't apply after 5pm, or on weekends.

As someone mentioned earlier, it's a no win situation.

[ChooPaKaToo]

Some lucky tow truck company would be making money, the pd could be handing off tickets..

How is this a losing situtation?

At some point, people have to learn rules. When we were children in school, we followed them, just because we're all grown up now, doesn't mean that rules don't apply to us.

Respect thy neighbor. or something like that.