HPD steps up enforcement of uptown parking ordinance

The Hillsboro Police Department has stepped up its enforcement this week of the uptown parking ordinance, writing warning tickets to alleged violators of the two-hour parking limit. 

Officer Jon Salyer, of the Hillsboro Police Department, was walking through the uptown streets marking tires around midday on Wednesday. Salyer said the department had begun writing the warning tickets this week.

"We're issuing warnings this week," Salyer said. "We will begin issuing tickets sometime in the near future." 

According to Salyer, the two-hour parking limit applies to all of the uptown area, per city ordinance, and not just to the areas that are marked.

The parking limit applies to the 100 blocks of north and south High Street, the 100 blocks of east and west Main Street, to the first alleys on east and west Walnut Street, to the first alleys on Beech Street, and all of Gov. Foraker Place and Gov. Trimble Place.

Currently, a parking violation fine is $10.

In May, the street and safety committee of the Hillsboro City Council voted to table proposed changes in the uptown parking ordinance that were recommended by the Hillsboro administration. The committee stated they would like to see enforcement of the current ordinance before increasing the penalties. 

The proposed changes to the parking ordinance included increasing the fine from $10 to $30, and if the fine was not paid within 30 days, it went to $75. The fines would then increase by $25 each week, up to a maximum of $200. There was also discussion on increasing the two-hour limit to three hours. 

Committee chairperson Brian Waller had said that once the city steps up enforcement, they will review the matter to see if stricter penalties are necessary. 

Also on Wednesday, street department crews were repainting lines of the crosswalks and turn lanes in the uptown area.