Canton To Start Issuing Tickets To Downtown Parking Violators

The Canton Police Department is advising motorists to be aware of new parking restrictions that will soon go into effect in downtown.

Over the past couple of months, the agency has used informational signs, social media platforms and local media outlets to publicize that parking enforcement in downtown Canton will begin on Oct. 1.

Canton Police Chief Robert Merchant said the agency extended the warning period from Sept. 1 to Oct. 1, which came at the request of the Canton City Council.

For the first offense of overtime parking violation, the fine is $10. The second offense would cost $15 and the third offense jumps to $30.

Other fines include:

• Anti-scuffing/circumventing parking restrictions: $20
• double parking or parking in traffic lanes: $20
• parking outside designated parking space: $20
• parking in fire lane: $50
• parking in a crosswalk: $20
• parking in the wrong direction: $20
• parking where prohibited: $20
• parking in front of a fire hydrant: $50
• obstructing/blocking private driveway: $20
• handicap violation: $205
• boot fee: $75 (a boot to immobilize a vehicle will occur when there are four unpaid parking tickets on that vehicle)

For the month of August, Merchant said the agency wrote a total of 300 warning tickets. Of that number, 25 vehicles accounted for 117 warning tickets, or 39 percent of the total violations. Additionally, one vehicle received 10 warning tickets.

“The overall results were disturbing given the fact at least 25 drivers demonstrated a true disrespect towards the parking situation in downtown Canton,” Merchant added. “The reason for enforcing the time restrictions on parking is to create movement and provide opportunities for other drivers to park and visit our local businesses. Obviously, these 25 drivers thought they were somehow special or entitled to a parking space for their own personal use.”

Merchant added that while he understand there may be some dissent from those who don’t believe there should be time restrictions on parking in the downtown area, he noted the “facts speak for themselves.”

“If I was a local business owner, I would definitely see the need for parking enforcement, and I assure our local business owners that the police department will strictly enforce the parking restrictions downtown,” he added.

The chief stated the fines will increase significantly for violators who are issued three parking tickets in a month. Interestingly enough, if enforcement had begun in August, those 25 vehicles would have been classified as habitual violators and subject to those increased fines.

“I encourage drivers visiting Downtown Canton to be mindful of the parking restrictions and abide by the limits to allow opportunities for other drivers to find parking so they can visit our local businesses,” he stated.

The City Council on Thursday did discuss how the new restrictions would impact jurors who are serving at the Cherokee County Justice Center. City Manager Glen Cummins noted Merchant is in talks with Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit District Attorney Shannon Wallace to come up with a solution that won’t penalize jurors.

Councilman Bill Grant said the Cherokee County government in the coming years will review the possibility of expanding the justice center and parking, which would alleviate the problem of overcrowding and minimal parking.

In the 2012-18 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program, the county has allocated $1.45 million that would be used to expand the courthouse.

(Photo credit: Canton police volunter Stan Oliver)