New tech buckles down on parking violations
Cameras part of Winter Park’s strategy to manage longstanding issue
Winter Park is a popular destination for Central Florida visitors, but it’s also frustrating for people who can’t find parking on the congested spaces along Park Avenue.
As a result, the city began using new technology last month to help cut down on parking violators.
“I’ve been [in Winter Park] for 27 years, and parking has always been an issue,” said Winter Park Police Lt. John Montgomery. “We’re looking to make it better and fair for everybody.”
In October, residents and visitors may have noticed that the parking attendant patrol car is now equipped with two mounted license plate reader cameras.
The new technology is part of Winter Park’s strategy to manage its longstanding parking issue in the central business district and downtown area, and it seems to have already made an impact.
In the plate reader’s first month of use, Winter Park recorded 170 parking citations — each a penalty of $25, according to Winter Park records.
It’s a stark increase from September, 108 citations, and August, 56. In October of last year, Winter Park issued 35 citations.
The plate reader logs in the time and location of each vehicle the patrol car passes in what may feel like Big Brother is watching, and that’s the point. Winter Park is watching — for violators.
Winter Park allows drivers to park along the roads of the