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Sunday, January 30, 2000 Page: 13
Editor:
As everyone is aware, a new administration took over in the city on Jan. 3.
Several changes have been instituted in the police department. One of those
changes is in the enforcement of parking violations. For many years,
complaints have been received by this department as well as local media
outlets concerning a perceived lack of enforcement of parking violations. We
have instituted a policy whereby officers are directed to enforce the existing
parking regulations, many of which have been neglected over the years. Due to
this policy, we hope to alleviate the concerns of those who have made their
complaints of lack of enforcement known.
Unfortunately, it seems that those who park in violation of existing
regulations and are now being ticketed feel that the city is simply attempting
to increase revenues due to its financial crisis. Let me assure everyone
concerned that the city cannot balance the budget through $10 or $15 parking
tickets, nor will we attempt to do so.
It was brought to my attention that a local bingo establishment recently
made an announcement to its players that if they are parked in violation of
posted signs near the hall, they would be ticketed. This same announcement
stated that the reason for this was due to a new mayor being in office who was
attempting to use the police department to bring in additional revenue to ease
the city’s financial crisis. This could not be further from the truth. The
enforcement of parking regulations is being done at my direction in order to
satisfy the complaints of those who rightfully felt that they were not being
enforced fairly or equitably. Unfortunately, we have a job the likes of which
make it virtually impossible to please everyone. Since we cannot make everyone
happy, all we can do is strive to enforce the law fairly and equally. To those
of you who have complained that you have parked in a certain location without
a problem and now you get a ticket, we as a police department will shoulder
the blame in that we failed to adequately enforce existing ordinances and
laws.
If anyone feels that the signs that are being enforced are not properly
posted or should be eliminated for various reasons, please feel free to call
me or stop at my office and I will attempt to address your concerns. We ask
that those who are unhappy with the current level of enforcement simply
understand that the officers of this department are doing what you the
taxpayers are paying them to do. We also ask that you understand that those
people who have complained about a lack of enforcement are also entitled to
the same level of service in having us address their complaints.
Edward A. Harry
Hazleton Chief of Police