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Tarpon Considers Hiking Illegal Parking Fines

Vehicles Parked in Fire Lanes The Target

By Mark Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: March 21, 2009

TARPON SPRINGS - It will soon get more expensive to park illegally in this city.

Fire Chief Stephen Moreno said firefighters got tired of complaints about motorists parking in designated fire lanes at shopping centers.

It was decided the problem could best be handled by raising fines to deter violators and have fire officials participate in the enforcement effort.

"Police were going to deputize some of us as meter maids to handle the situation," once new fines went into effect, the fire chief said.

Police proposed raising the price of parking in a no parking zone or near a fire hydrant from $15 to $40.

City Commissioners agreed with the fire chief's comments on the illegal parking situation. It is time to revisit all the city's parking fines, they added.

"It makes sense to discourage people from parking next to a fire hydrant," said Commissioner Chris Alahouzos.

Commissioner Peter Dalacos said the city "should take the opportunity to consider revising other charges at the same time."

Commissioners agreed that the fine for leaving a vehicle unattended, with the motor running or with the keys left in the ignition should be more than the current $10.

In addition, improper parking, double parking, taking two spaces, having the left side of a vehicle to the curb, parallel parking in a diagonal space, or backing into a space should carry a fine of more than $15, commissioners said.

In addition to boosting compliance with city parking regulations, the higher fines could help the city offset its loss of revenue from sources such as property and sales taxes, commissioners said.

The city keeps a portion of each fee collected. It uses a vendor to recoup the fees that gets 25 percent from each fine, with $5 from each fine is allocated to pay for school crossing guards.

Acting Police Chief Robert Kochen said he will compare the city's current parking fine structure with those in other area jurisdictions and submit a report to the City Commission.

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