Parking Rules Now Being Enforced in Downtown Anchorage
Posted: 8/19/11
Kindler, gentler parking enforcement has returned to downtown Anchorage. Earlier this month, EasyPark, the city’s parking enforcement division, began enforcing longtime parking rules in downtown Anchorage. The division was authorized to proceed after voters approved a change to the city’s charter last April. Implementation of the voter-endorsed ordinance is designed to enhance the downtown experience for visitors and businesses that benefit from consistent turnover and enforcement.
In an effort to allow citizens time to adjust to the change, the new Parking Enforcement Officers (PEO) are issuing parking “dismissal opportunity cards” with every citation for the next 60 days. During the 60-day period, parkers who are either unfamiliar with the downtown parking rules or have been relying on no parking enforcement being present will have the opportunity to get their first ticket dismissed by taking a quick quiz online at www.easyparkalaska.com. (The answers are provided at the bottom of the quiz.) More importantly, it will provide a gentle reminder that parking rules are again being enforced and need to be followed.
Parking violation processes remain the same as before: the appeal process will continue via the court system; payments for parking citations will be made to EasyPark; and outstanding parking citations will be turned over to a collection agency after 90 days.
Unlike earlier parking authorities, EasyPark is authorized to enforce parking only in the downtown core bounded by Ship Creek on the North, Gambell Street on the East, 10th Avenue on the South, and M Street on the West. Also different is the type of infractions EasyPark will enforce; expired parking meters; loading zone; red zones; fire zones; improper parking on sidewalks; closures for snow-plowing; and handicap parking are the primary focus of the new PEOs. Officers with the Anchorage Police Department will continue to enforce infractions like expired tags or studded tire deadlines.
Rick Onstott, the Anchorage Community Development Authority’s parking director says, “It’s not our goal to catch people, make money or reach a quota of parking tickets. In fact, our goal is to issue fewer tickets, because that means we are fulfilling our aim. In addition to parking safely, we need motorists to comply with on-street parking laws such as the posted maximum stay, which will create more consistent access to parking spaces near businesses.”