Feb 28, 2008 7:08 pm US/Eastern
Mayor Comments On Parking Meter Investigation
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Pennsylvania law requires that timing devices like parking meters be checked for accuracy once every three years. In Philadelphia, that testing isn't happening like clockwork.
According to Licenses & Inspections Deputy Commissioner Dominic Verdi, "There is no way possible for us to handle all of those meters."
Of 14,500 meters, only around two thousand have been tested from 2005 through 2007. Verdi says lack of man power is to blame and that in the future, they'll let the state handle the responsibility.
"We are taking ourselves out of the parking meter certification business," remarked Verdi.
"We're looking to have a new agreement with the Commonwealth and the Parking Authority to make sure that they are inspected in accordance to the statute," says Mayor Michael Nutter who stands firm on the matter of fines. "If you get a ticket you should pay it," said Nutter.
When asked how we can guarantee that the meters in the City work when they are not fulfilling state law, Nutter replied, "If you get a ticket in Philadelphia, you should pay it. That is the bottom line." Deputy Director of Finance Clorise Wynn agrees, "If in fact you get a ticket, you gotta pay that ticket unless you can prove to us otherwise, and your perfectly welcome to come in for a hearing." said Wynn.
3 On Your Side has spoken with many legal experts who disagree. They tell us that if the Parking Authority can't prove that its meters are timed properly then the city can't legally enforce the tickets. But remember, you can't just ignore the ticket, you need to go through the dispute process. Stay tuned. I'll be following this story in the upcoming days.
READ THE ORIGINAL STORY:3 On Your Side: Parking Meter Investigation
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