Greenwich Police Department To Oversee Town's Parking Services

GREENWICH, CT — Effective on Feb. 1, the Greenwich Police Department will take over running the town's Parking Services operations, announced First Selectman Peter Tesei Thursday.

The parking services group has been under review for the past several months by Chicago-based SP Plus in an effort to improve the department and help clean up operations following past issues. The Parking Services Department currently consists of 12 full-time employees and 2.57 part-time employees.

SP Plus representatives have made several visits to Greenwich to review current operations, processes, policies and staff assignments, and has worked with town officials on the implementation of upgraded technology and equipment to enhance services. The company continues to work closely with the department's staff and external consultant Ron Lalli, who is a retired Risk Manager and former Internal Auditor.

As a result of discussions with SP Plus on a new proposed operations structure for the department, Tesei said he decided to place it under the direction of the police department under the command of Deputy Police Chief Mark Marino.

"I am very excited about this organizational change," Tesei said. "Ron Lalli has done a tremendous job in working with Parking Services to address internal controls and to document process. With the proper internal controls in place, a change in reporting structure is the next step. The Police Department and Parking Services share many operational similarities with enforcement and direct engagement with the public. Alignment with the Police Department will allow for greater synergies with parking management and enforcement."

Added Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey, "Assuming this additional responsibility is certainly in keeping with our long standing commitment to community policing. Having Parking Services as part of the Police Department will also provide a number of efficiencies for the operation while also improving service results for our residents and visitors to town."

SP Plus will continue to provide independent parking management consulting and will perform monthly and quarterly parking operational reviews to monitor compliance with internal controls and processes.

"I am very excited about the change," stated Marino. "I have had an opportunity to work with some of the Parking Services staff and look forward to building upon a strong team to enhance customer service and provide a better parking experience for the public."

In the future, parking services might be moved to the Public Safety Complex building, but such a change is not being discussed at the moment. Additionally, the department might change its counter hours and parking appeals hearing location, which if changed would be with the goal of enhancing customer service.

Image via Shutterstock

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