Students attending Spokane Falls are faced with the potential of receiving one of SFCC’s many parking violation fees.
Whether you’re a first year driver or ten years into the game, make sure to dot your I’s and cross your T’s while in the SFCC parking lots. From fines for those who park without permits to those who park improperly, some students are voicing the concerns that security on campus is being too strict with their fines.
Ken DeMello, Director of Campus Security, explained the multiple offenses that could result in a ticket, and also had some tips to help students avoid receiving them.
“Many students believe that the first two weeks of each quarter are a sort of grace period. There is no grace period at the start of the quarter,” said DeMello. “Students have the ability to buy parking passes up to six weeks before the start of the new quarter.”
SFCC operates under WAC -132Q, which states that the college has the ability to create and enforce it’s own rules and regulations. SFCC security officers are also “limited-commissioned police officers,” which means that they have the right to make arrests and issue citations on college campus.
The vast majority of tickets given at SFCC are parking violations. Campus security tickets vehicles violating campus rules between the hours of 6:30am- 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. All parking violations during the listed hours are $30.
Of all the parking violations, the most common is the lack of a parking permit. “You must have a permit to park on campus,” said DeMello. “Guests must either use the metered parking areas, or buy a day pass.”
Parking permits can be bought annually and quarterly, and should be hung from the vehicles rear view mirror. Day-passes can be purchased for $2 at kiosks available in the parking lots. “Permits need to be visible,” said DeMello.
Drivers can also be ticketed if they park in areas designated for faculty or in handicapped parking without the proper permits. Also, drivers might receive a ticket if they’re not parked within the lines of a parking spot.
“In cases where students have not parked within the lines, security will use their judgment as to whether the offense was malicious, or committed in part by factors such as snow,” said DeMello.
Drivers on campus can also be ticketed for driving recklessly or over the speed limit in the parking lots.
“Along with the rules and regulations that the college has made under WAC-132Q, SFCC has also adopted all traffic laws enforced by the state of Washington,” said DeMello. “Security officers do not even need to approach an offender, but can note the license plate number, and our system will mail the student informing them of the ticket they incurred.” Said DeMello. All movement violation tickets are $40.
During Fall quarter of 2012, 1037 tickets were handed out. So far this quarter, 1047 tickets have been handed out to students.
Students can avoid tickets by spending $23 for a parking permit, observing the speed limits on campus, and driving and parking safely.
“If I didn’t have to give out one ticket all quarter, I would be happy,” said DeMello.