August 30, 2022 |
In Rawlins, parking is an issue that is receiving new attention from both the city council and the police department. The campaign is two-pronged. It includes education and enforcement.
Police Chief Michael Ward told Bigfoot 99 that the primary issue behind the effort is the safety of both motorists and pedestrians.
Pictured above: File photo of vehicles parked in a residential area in Rawlins. Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.
The enforcement effort is taking place citywide. Chief Ward said some areas of town are more congested than others just because of how neighborhoods were built. That’s where many of the complaints the PD receives originate.
Sometimes trying to help by making room on the street can create a new problem. For instance, someone parking their vehicle up on the curb to make more room on the street might end up blocking the sidewalk as a result. Or a person pulls into their driveway but the back end of the vehicle blocks the walk for pedestrians.
Parking too close to an intersection can happen anywhere in town, from residential areas to industrial zones. The resulting danger to motorists is the same no matter where it occurs.
Another big problem is derelict vehicles. Officials are focusing on abandoned or neglected vehicles as part of the larger beautification effort across the city.
Working cooperatively with residents to resolve ongoing issues was a point of emphasis during our interview. Chief Ward said the police would rather work with residents to achieve compliance than to issue a citation. Not everyone is willing to work with the city, though.
If you receive a notice, have a question about the parking codes, or would like to report a parking issue in your neighborhood, please call (307) 328-4530 or visit www.rawlinswy.gov/concern and click on “parking concerns.”
