Cleveland set to crack down on illegal parking with new traffic light cameras
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - If you live or work in downtown Cleveland, you’ve likely encountered cars parked illegally — on sidewalks, double-parked or in no-parking zones. This common sight is not only a nuisance but also poses significant safety and economic challenges for the city.
Now, Cleveland is taking a proactive step to address this issue by installing cameras at traffic lights to enforce illegal stopping and parking rules.
Driving in downtown Cleveland can often feel like navigating an obstacle course, with drivers frequently weaving around improperly parked vehicles.
Matt Moss, a senior strategist for Thriving Communities in the mayor’s office, emphasizes the severity of the problem: “It is unsafe. It is challenging. It really limits the economic activity too of streets like Euclid Avenue and this part of downtown.”
The new camera system aims to alleviate these issues.
Moss explains, “If there is a driver who ends up blocking a crosswalk, double parking, parking in an area where they are not supposed to park because there is a sign as a no parking area, that is what the cameras will be enforcing.”
Here’s how it will work: the cameras will capture images of illegally parked cars, and the registered owner will receive a ticket in the mail.
This automated enforcement is crucial because, as Moss points out, “This behavior happens so often that it is difficult for a human enforcement officer to be able to get there in time to enforce that behavior.”
The city plans to install about 50 cameras at an estimated annual operating cost of $6,000.
Importantly, taxpayer money will not be used to fund this program.
Lucas Reeve, a senior adviser to the mayor, says the initiative will be paid for with revenue generated from the tickets.
Each fine would be about $50 to $60.
Reeve highlights the dual benefits of this approach: “The curb and how we manage is not only an important part of managing public safety, but also at the same time encouraging economic development.”
The program is slated to begin early next year on a trial basis.
A key objective of this strategy is to enhance the availability of parking spaces where they are most needed. “Right now we are seeing spaces across the city be occupied for hours or even days,” Moss notes.
The city will continuously evaluate the data collected from the trial to make necessary adjustments and optimize the program’s effectiveness.
This new enforcement measure is expected to improve public safety, ease traffic flow and contribute to the economic vitality of downtown Cleveland by ensuring more efficient use of curb space.
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