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Remote parking enforcement through Ticket-by-Mail sends parking citations directly to the vehicle owner's home address rather than leaving them on the windshield. While this shift offers numerous benefits, legal implications can delay the transition. The good news is that it's less complicated than it may seem, as demonstrated by municipalities that have already updated their street codes to accommodate remote enforcement. Moreover, the effort is undoubtedly worthwhile. Here's what you need to know.
Ticket-by-Mail Is a Necessary Upgrade
The Ticket-by-Mail system streamlines the parking enforcement process by eliminating the need for officers to exit their vehicles and manually place tickets on cars. This allows officers to cover more ground and enables parking departments to address violations more efficiently with their existing personnel.
Above increased efficiency, a significant advantage of Ticket-by-Mail is the improved security for enforcement officers, who are no longer exposed to potential dangers, from traffic accidents to confrontations with drivers.
From the end-user standpoint, the changes are seamless. Drivers continue to pay for parking using your city's existing payment tools. The primary difference is that people who don't pay will no longer be able to exploit the system and avoid enforcement.
Municipalities implementing a Ticket-by-Mail system can finally close this loophole, ensuring that all parking violations are tracked and addressed.
The results and revenue from parking are expected to improve significantly. A remote system allows for consistent and thorough enforcement, as officers cover more ground without physical ticketing. And when fewer violations will go unnoticed, you slowly increase volunteer compliance and parking revenue.
Why Ticket-by-Mail Requires a Legal Framework
This necessity arises not because the system is inherently illegal but because existing street codes were established long before this technology was available. As a result, they don't explicitly mention or accommodate it as a parking enforcement method.
Payment deadlines and late payment penalty rules must also be adjusted to account for the mailing time. This way, vehicle owners have ample time to receive their citations and decide whether to pay the fine or contest it.
Amending street codes for remote enforcement can be a lengthy legislative process because each state has specific procedures to be followed. This requires collaboration among various governmental departments and adherence to state-specific protocols.
On the bright side, it's a necessary growing pain. Lawmakers need to recognize the benefits of Ticket-by-Mail and the importance of revising outdated procedures to support modern enforcement methods. Street codes and enforcement methods must evolve to keep pace with technological advancements and the changing needs of smart cities. Just as we would not expect 20th-century infrastructure to meet the demands of 21st-century life, so too must our legal frameworks progress.
New Technologies vs. Outdated Statutes: How Pittsburgh Built the Legal Structure for Ticket-by-Mail
Pittsburgh is a prime example of successfully establishing a legal framework for remote enforcement. The city has implemented Ticket-by-Mail to enhance enforcement officer safety and now manages parking violations more effectively, especially in areas where safety concerns previously limited parking enforcement operations.
Building the legal structure for Ticket-by-Mail in Pittsburgh required thorough legal analysis, drafting proposed legislation, and securing political support. Key players in this effort included the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee Chair, the Transportation Committee's legal counsel, the City of Pittsburgh Law Department, and the Mayor's Office. These entities collaborated to review and refine the legal language needed to authorize mail-based parking enforcement.
What Parking Experts Say about Remote Enforcement with Ticket-by-Mail
"The Ticket-by-Mail solution has been a tremendous help for us. It eliminates the need for us to stop in traffic. Now, we drive along while the system scans vehicles that haven't paid, issuing tickets via mail once authorized. And it removes the potential for confrontation. People can become quite upset when receiving a parking ticket, but with this system, they won't even know they've been cited until days later. This greatly reduces the likelihood of physical altercations, a significant safety benefit for our civilian parking enforcement team." — Butch Stroud, City Marshall/Code Enforcement Department in Galveston, TX
"Park Macon needed cutting-edge technology to build an infrastructure that simplifies compliance with parking regulations, ensuring that following the rules is the easiest path for everyone. Together, we've developed a system that provides a positive experience in the city, where the focus is on convenience and respect for shared spaces." — Steven Schroeder, Chief Administrator in Macon, GA
"This technological advancement will bring Hallandale Beach into the 21st century, opening new horizons for our parking enforcement operations. I'm thrilled for our team and the city because this innovation marks a significant step forward. Once we demonstrate that the Ticket-by-Mail system works at the two off-street properties near the beach, we plan to expand it to other locations within the city. I am excited for Hallandale Beach because we are on the brink of something significant." — Harvey Figueroa, Parking Services Supervisor in Hallandale Beach
How Ticket-by-Mail Works
The Ticket-by-Mail system is versatile and can effectively address key parking challenges in any city. Enforcement officers use handheld and vehicle-mounted License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras to scan license plates and capture relevant data. A workflow is triggered when cameras identify a parking violation, and a supervisor confirms it. The ticket is then automatically prepared and mailed to the registered owner's address.
A vital aspect of remote parking enforcement is its secure connection to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This integration allows the system to accurately identify vehicle owners and access their registered addresses, ensuring parking tickets go to the correct recipients.
Additionally, the Ticket-by-Mail system provides an evidence package with each citation, including clear, dated photos of the violation so vehicle owners can make informed decisions about whether to pay or contest the fine. This transparency enhances public trust in the enforcement process, simplifies procedures, and reduces the administrative workload by ensuring vehicle owners have immediate access to the necessary evidence.
Building the Future of Parking Enforcement
Ticket-by-Mail is a significant step forward in parking enforcement, offering increased safety, efficiency, and transparency. As more municipalities across the US change their street codes to make remote enforcement possible, we can expect to see a substantial reduction in enforcement-related confrontations, improved compliance with parking regulations, and a more streamlined process overall.
This upgrade not only benefits enforcement officers and parking departments but also promotes fairness and trust among the public, leading to better-managed urban environments. It's another step towards modern, effective, and equitable city management.
Contact us today to learn more about remote enforcement and Ticket-by-Mail. Our team is ready to provide detailed information, answer your questions, and guide you through implementing this innovative solution in your municipality.
