HARRISBURG, Pa. — The City of Harrisburg has a message for residents who park their vehicles illegally on the sidewalk: If you keep it up, you're going to pay.
Starting Monday, the city's Parking Enforcement will begin issuing tickets to those who illegally park their cars on or along the sidewalks in violation of city ordinances.
The act of parking on the sidewalk violates Chapter 3, Section 121.3 of the City Code, which states in part "The operator of a vehicle shall not...park at any place between the curb line or property line of any street."
The decision to step up enforcement efforts comes after discussions between the community and the city officials, including Public Safety Chairman and City Councilman Lamont Jones and Captain Russell Winder of the Harrisburg Police Department's Community Services Division, the city said in a press release.
"After listening to the concerns of our residents about the ongoing parking issues in the city of Harrisburg, to ensure the safety and accessibility of pedestrians and residents, I will continue to work effectively and collectively with city government on the concerns of citizens in the great city of Harrisburg," Jones said.
In addition to issuing tickets to offenders, Harrisburg City Code allows for additional enforcement for every hour violating vehicles do not move, the city said.
Chapter 3, Section 131.11 of City Code states "there will be a separate unlawful parking charge of $30 for each consecutive separate period of one hour during which such unlawful parking continues," officials noted.
The city's Community Service Aides will go door-to-door across the city, leaving fliers on cars and speaking to residents to remind them that parking on sidewalks is illegal, the city said.
"Upon driving through the Hill section of the city, it was painfully clear that the parking situation is completely out of hand," Winder said. "It's our hope that by passing out the literature and taking time to explain and answer any questions, our residents will appreciate the super advanced notice and start to park accordingly, legally."