Ohio University junior Chris Locke and his six housemates have accumulated about 20 parking violations in the past year, all for not moving their cars every 24 hours.
It's horrible
Locke said. We have to move cars a few inches in the rain.
Athens Police Department issued 3,202 citations last year for vehicles parked on streets for more than 24 hours, Athens Police Capt. Tom Pyle said.
A parking division employee and officers will chalk the tires of vehicles while on patrol, and if the car has not moved within a day, they will issue a $20 fine. If the fine is not paid within 48 hours, it is increased to $30. If a vehicle is on the street more than 48 hours, it could be towed.
Because of other responsibilities, officers rarely check tires exactly every 24 hours, so a little leeway is afforded to car owners, Pyle said.
There is a misperception that it is a solid 24-hour enforcement rule Pyle said.
The code was implemented before 1966 but not enforced until November 1995, when Athens City Council allowed officers to cite violators, said Debbie Walker, clerk for the council. The code helps limit longtime parking and storing vehicles on the streets.
Prior to the rule you could park and leave for months on end
Pyle said. It's very unfair to people who live on that street.
The transportation and streets committee, chaired by councilwoman Chris Knisely, is looking into a permit system to allow extended parking, but no legislation has been brought before Athens City Council, Mayor Paul Wiehl said.
Many cities have similar rules, but few enforce them. Nelsonville has a 24-hour parking limit. In Columbus and Cleveland, cars must move every 72 hours. Cincinnati has a 14-hour rule. Jackson doesn't limit the length of time a car can park.
In Athens, 10 streets account for 60 percent of the citations, Pyle said. West Washington Street tops the list, followed by Mill Street and Franklin Avenue.
Some forget to move their cars and others ignore the 24-parking rule as a form of protest, but many are unaware of the ordinance, Pyle said.
T.J. Wilson, a junior studying political science, is well acquainted with the rule. His roommate sometimes wakes up at 8 a.m. to move his car, because the house has three parking spaces for four vehicles.
We don't like it
said Wilson, adding his roommates have never contested a ticket with Athens police.
Myrdith Sherow, a West State Street resident and OU alumna, said she hasn't run into any problems with the 24-hour rule.
It's better to move your car every 24 hours then pay the parking meters uptown
Sherow said.
Despite some discontent, the 24-hour parking rule is the most effective way to limit long-term parking on Athens streets, Pyle said.
People get frustrated by it
even people who ultimately support the ordinance
Pyle said. But there really is no alternative.
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