15.4 Parking Enforcement

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Centreville Police Department
Title: Parking Enforcement Directive #: 15.4
Issued: 10.1.2016 Revised: 10.1.2016
Approved by: Charles M. Rhodes, Jr.
Chief of Police
A. Purpose
To provide officers guidance for issuing citations or summonses for parking violations.
B. Policy
Officers who issue citations or summonses for parking violations will do so in accordance with this directive and
conform to all applicable laws.
C. Procedures
1. General
a. Discretion is a factor in all policing, and particularly in the issuance of parking citations. While police
officers are expected to aggressively enforce parking prohibitions throughout the Town, they are
also expected to be aware of certain conditions which affect citizens who reside in areas of the Town
where parking is at a premium.
b. It is incumbent upon all officers to be familiar with the Town parking ordinances and the
Transportation Article as it relates to parking enforcement.
c. Parking Enforcement is vital to ensure free flow of traffic, potential safety hazards are mitigated
quickly and parking is fair and equitable for all citizens.
2. Handicapped Parking Enforcement
a. Enforcement of laws that protect the rights of handicapped citizen to full access to public and private
property is essential. The Transportation Article and Town Code have laws that provide for
handicapped parking and the issuance of handicapped plates, placards or stickers. There will be a
"zero tolerance policy" for violations of this section, and officers will only issue parking citations (no
warnings). Before issuing a citation to a vehicle that appears to be in violation, officers will:
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(1) Determine if the vehicle has proper registration plates;
(2) Very carefully inspect the front and rear windows and dashboard to determine if "handicapped"
signs are in these locations.
(3) Some states have small handicapped stickers that are affixed to a regular registration plate.
Officers observing out of state tags should inspect the registration plates for such stickers.
b. The Transportation Article 21-1003 (d) makes it a violation for a vehicle to park, stand, or stop in front
of a curb ramp designed for use by individuals with disabilities.
c. Any vehicle with handicapped tags may park at a parking meter without placing coins in the meter as
outlined in existing law.
3. Fire Lane Enforcement
a. Parking in a designated fire lane in and of itself presents a safety hazard and should be aggressively
enforced consistent with laws and ordinances.
4 Town Parking Permit Enforcement
a. Any person/company/resident or employee issued a Town parking permit is given guidelines dealing
with sticker/permit placement. These guidelines are available at the Town Hall. Also:
(1) Stickers may be issued to Town Employees for parking on Town lots. Officers will first check all
windows, rear deck, and the dashboard before writing a citation.
(2) When there is any doubt as to whether "exemptions" apply, an officer will only issue a warning
ticket.
(3) Before writing a citation on any "other" type vehicle (motorcycle, van, etc.) an officer will check
the vehicle carefully to make sure no parking permit is attached.
(4) Exemptions:
(a) Emergency, commercial and/or service vehicles are exempt when performing necessary work
within the area.
(b) Public utility and all governmental vehicles are exempt when performing necessary work
within the area.
5. Parking Meter Enforcement
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a. Officers should routinely enforce the parking meter requirements in the business area of the Town,
consistent with the law and town ordinances.
b. Those vehicles that are parked at a meter in excess of the allowable time, may be issued a citation.
6. Impounding Illegally Parked Vehicles
a. Vehicles shall not be routinely impounded for parking violations. When possible, the officer will give
the owner/operator a reasonable opportunity to remove the vehicle. Impoundment is authorized in
the following circumstances:
(1) If a vehicle is parked or standing in a fashion that impeded the movement of traffic or blocks a
driveway or entrance, or is left unattended on any road, highway, alley or parking lot, in a
manner which constitutes a threat to public safety;
(2) If a vehicle is parked in a fire lane and interferes with access to a fire hydrant, or interferes with
the passage of an emergency vehicle;
(3) If a vehicle is parked on a snow emergency route and interferes with snow removal efforts and
impedes traffic during a snow emergency;
(4) If a vehicle is parked in an area marked "No Parking Parade Route;"
(5) In 24 hour violations the vehicle may be impounded following the issuance of a written warning or
citation, under the following conditions:
(a) Additional complaints are received relative to the vehicle; and
(b) The registered owner of the vehicle does not reside on an adjacent residential property and t
there are no other violations other than the 24 hour violation; and
(6) Exigent circumstances exist that endanger public safety (Example: leaking gas);
(7) When assisting Public Works with enforcement and/or impoundment of vehicles in violation of
official “No Parking” signs during street construction, only after consulting with a Supervisor and
obtaining authorization.
(8) No vehicle will be impounded for a parking violation unless it meets the above requirements, or
has least two outstanding parking citations.
(9) Authorization: All personnel will obtain authorization from the on-duty patrol supervisor or Chief
of Police before impounding any vehicle for a parking violation. The supervisor will ensure that
the vehicle impoundment meets the requirements of this procedure.
7. Contested Citations
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a. Maryland State Law provides guidelines for processing contested citations. Sworn Officers may advise
the citizen that they can request a court date for the violation or pay the fine associated with the
parking citation pursuant to the Town Ordinance.
b. Any citizen who fails to pay the fine within the established time frame or wishes to contest a citation
will be issued a court date as per court policy.
8. Voiding Parking Citations
a. The Chief of Police can administratively void parking citations for the following reasons:
(1) If an officer issues a citation in error, such as, failing to see a valid handicapped sticker or
residential parking permit displayed on the vehicle.
(2) If an officer makes an error while writing a citation.
(3) If an unused citation has copies that are lost or stolen.
(4) If a citation has become unsuitable for issuance due to accidental exposure to rain, snow, etc.
9. Citations
a. Police personnel will use citations issued by the Town of Centreville for enforcement of parking
ordinances. All citations will be legible and written in black ink.
b. Within 48 hours after the citation has been issued, the officer shall submit the original copy to his
supervisor so that it may be forwarded to Town hall for disposition and recording.
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