Winters Police now has parking citation forms, almost ready to hand out fines

Image: City of Winters/Handout[/caption] The Winters Police Department is almost ready to begin handing out parking citations to drivers who are in violation of various city ordinances related to parking time limits and other offenses. Last week, Winters Police Chief John Miller confirmed to the Express the agency now has parking citation forms to issue to drivers as part of parking enforcement measures green-lit by city officials last year. In November, the Winters City Council approved a $30 fine for most parking-related violations. Drivers who park in spots marked for disabled individuals without the proper permit will be hit with a $336 fine, while those who remove parking enforcement marks made by community services officers will be forced to fork over $60. The citation slip also includes fines for drivers who are missing a license plate or registration stickers. Both fines are $30, but are reduced to $10 with proof of correction. Miller said the police department will start enforcing timed parking rules as soon as the public works department has finished installing signs throughout the downtown area. He said community services officers will enforce the rules with “warnings [to drivers] for a short period of time” before citations are issued. “The biggest message we are trying to get out is this parking enforcement is being undertaken to discourage the long-term parkers that clog the parking in the downtown area, many of which are the employees of the businesses and restaurants, and free up parking for [customers],” Miller wrote in an email. Miller encouraged people who park long-term in the downtown area to park in lots that have no time limit, including a lot on the northeast corner of Main St. and Railroad Ave. near Steady Eddy’s. “If they do this, they won’t have to worry about receiving a citation,” Miller said.]]>