Parking lot behavior law takes effect today
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 10 years, 7 months AGO
<p>Linda Wolovich, of Coeur d’Alene, uses a kiosk to pay for parking at McEuen Park in this April 28 Press file photo. Beginning today, a new parking ordinance, that prohibits loitering, skateboarding, roller blading and racing, goes into effect at Coeur d’Alene’s McEuen Park sub-level parking lot.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - The city of Coeur d'Alene issued a reminder to residents that an updated ordinance addressing delinquent behavior in city parking facilities goes into effect today.
"Bottom line, city officials say, is that parking facilities are meant for parking - not playing," a press release from the city says.
According to the release, the updates to the city's parking ordinance were prompted by concerns with public behavior at the McEuen Park parking facility. To address this issue, new restrictions have been implemented restricting certain activities in the facility like skateboarding, rollerblading, and racing.
"It's really loitering and activities not related to parking that are being prohibited," City Attorney Wes Somerton said in the release.
The ordinance, Somerton added in the release, gives officers more authority to restrict certain unlawful behavior.
Coeur d'Alene Police Capt. Steve Childers said in the release that there will be an increased police presence at the downtown parking structure this weekend, adding that the higher visibility is also in conjunction with the holiday weekend and the fast-approaching summer season.
Childers added in the release that he does not expect a lot of tickets to be issued at first.
"It will be very much educational to being with," Childers said in the release. "But if folks do not comply, it could involve more heavy law enforcement."
A copy of the new parking ordinance will soon be posted to the city's website, www.cdaid.org, and shared on the city's social media sites.