Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse’s parking enforcers are writing far few tickets in the final five hours of their shifts, and they’re “virtually non-existent” in some areas where paid street parking exists, according to an analysis by City Auditor Alexander Marion.
The auditor will release a report today that raises concerns about gaps in the city’s public parking enforcement. The report revealed some substantial differences in when and where parking tickets are issued.
The analysis found that enforcement of metered parking was “virtually non-existent” in three areas: James Street, Franklin Square and South Salina Street south of Onondaga Street.
Marion’s office took an in-depth look at Syracuse’s parking ticket data for the calendar year 2023, when more than 62,000 parking tickets were issued. Of those, 13,403 cited motorists for time violations, meaning they either didn’t pay the $2 per hour rate at all or they stayed in their space beyond the two-hour time limit.
Although the city’s paid on-street parking is in effect from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and other parking rules are supposed to be enforced around the clock, 62% of tickets were written between 9 a.m. and noon. The auditor’s report described that amount as “staggering.”
Syracuse has nine budgeted parking checkers positions, which are paid between $35,500 and $38,300 per year. The report said these parking checkers all generally work the same shift of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Marion said the enforcement gap translates into lost parking ticket revenue, which totaled $3.5 million for the city fiscal year that ended in June 2023. Suggestions include adding more parking checkers, staggering their schedules and hiring a dedicated supervisor.
“The city can easily do more to increase parking revenues,” the report states.
In a response to the auditor’s report on behalf of Mayor Ben Walsh’s administration, Chief Administration Officer Frank Caliva said…
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