Little annoyances

[runawayjim]

sounds like you hartfordonians (or whatever you call yourselves) are cheap.

seriously, if you think there's a chance you'll run over, put in another freaking quarter, which usually gives you another 20 minutes! it's a stinking quarter for crying out loud. street parking comes at a premium, and if there's a law abiding citizen who will park there and pay properly, then let them.

i took my fiancee and our mothers out to lunch in downtown providence and had to pay the meter. we put 2 hours worth of parking into it (i think it cost a whopping $1.50, $0.25 per 20 min). we were out in about an hour and 20 min. did i look at it as losing $0.50? no. it was a small donation to the city. were there tickets on cars who had overstayed their welcome? yes. was i turned off by that? nope, because i knew that they just weren't smart enough to pay chump change compared to what the ticket costs.

[HeartbeatHead]

sounds like you hartfordonians (or whatever you call yourselves) are cheap.

seriously, if you think there's a chance you'll run over, put in another freaking quarter, which usually gives you another 20 minutes! it's a stinking quarter for crying out loud. street parking comes at a premium, and if there's a law abiding citizen who will park there and pay properly, then let them.

i took my fiancee and our mothers out to lunch in downtown providence and had to pay the meter. we put 2 hours worth of parking into it (i think it cost a whopping $1.50, $0.25 per 20 min). we were out in about an hour and 20 min. did i look at it as losing $0.50? no. it was a small donation to the city. were there tickets on cars who had overstayed their welcome? yes. was i turned off by that? nope, because i knew that they just weren't smart enough to pay chump change compared to what the ticket costs.

actually a quarter only gives u 10min, a dime 5min, i forgot what a nickel is...prollyl like 2

[runawayjim]

actually a quarter only gives u 10min, a dime 5min, i forgot what a nickel is...prollyl like 2

that sounds a bit low... but i'll take your word for it. i parked in a vacant "park here for $10" lot last time i was in hartford... luckily i didn't get towed, of course i wasn't illegally parked either technically... just on private property. not my fault the lot was left open with no signs and no one watching it. i don't go to hartford very often, so i don't really know what the meters cost there...

but still... that's a hell of a lot cheaper than a $25 parking ticket, unless you're gonna tell me that an expired meter ticket is only like $5...

[drc72]

actually a quarter only gives u 10min, a dime 5min, i forgot what a nickel is...prollyl like 2

Yeah a nickel gives you two minutes, what a joke. Hartford should at least give you 20 minutes for a quarter. 10 minutes is a little low.

[runawayjim]

Yeah a nickel gives you two minutes, what a joke. Hartford should at least give you 20 minutes for a quarter. 10 minutes is a little low.

yikes! that does really suck... ok, i can see how so many people stay longer than the time in the meter... a quarter should give you at least 15 min...

[ctman987]

You get much more time for your money in other cities and towns including West Hartford center where a would be Hartford diner could just as easily head on over to Grant's or the Elbow instead of Max Downtown or City Steam. If people can park for cheaper in West Hartford then why not go there?

City restaurant owners know this, I was talking to the manager at Hot Tomato's and he says it is difficult getting people to the restaurant sometimes because they have to worry about parking.

On another note I have read many editorials in the Courant recently about unhappy suburbanites who have come back into the city (some for the first time in a long time) from wealthy suburbs like (West Hartford, Avon & Simsbury) to go to events such as the Jazz Festival only to come back to their cars to find a ticket. This did not flow well with them and these people can sadly can live without Hartford or any other city for that matter but Hartford needs to regain it's image among it suburbs as a reputable city.

I also notice I see a lot of people ticketed for parking over the time limit in their meter as opposed to people who park illegally. There is a lot of no parking zones downtown (for some unknown reason) and there is a pretty good chance there are people parked their and that they are not ticketed.

[runawayjim]

You get much more time for your money in other cities and towns including West Hartford center where a would be Hartford diner could just as easily head on over to Grant's or the Elbow instead of Max Downtown or City Steam. If people can park for cheaper in West Hartford then why not go there?

City restaurant owners know this, I was talking to the manager at Hot Tomato's and he says it is difficult getting people to the restaurant sometimes because they have to worry about parking.

On another note I have read many editorials in the Courant recently about unhappy suburbanites who have come back into the city (some for the first time in a long time) from wealthy suburbs like (West Hartford, Avon & Simsbury) to go to events such as the Jazz Festival only to come back to their cars to find a ticket. This did not flow well with them and these people can sadly can live without Hartford or any other city for that matter but Hartford needs to regain it's image among it suburbs as a reputable city.

I also notice I see a lot of people ticketed for parking over the time limit in their meter as opposed to people who park illegally. There is a lot of no parking zones downtown (for some unknown reason) and there is a pretty good chance there are people parked their and that they are not ticketed.

is it possible that meter maids can only ticket metered spaces?

while that does suck, that could answer that issue.

i think one of the solutions would be to allow more time per coin rather than easing up on ticketing the expired meters. events at night generally don't affect parking, so the lucky few who get street spaces get free parking in most cities, while the rest have to pay garages and lots. i bet you'd see less tickets if they increased the time to 15-20 min per quarter, 10 min per dime, and 5 min per nickel. you'd see even less once they join the modern world and add machines that can take credit/debit cards and paper money. the advantage to those is they're harder to see those who are at an expired meter... while the meter flashes red (when it's a digital one) or flips up a red flag, the ticket on the dash does not change color after you've used all the time... although the time is fairly large on them and easily read, it's not as bright as a flashing red meter.

[HartfordTycoon]

You get much more time for your money in other cities and towns including West Hartford center where a would be Hartford diner could just as easily head on over to Grant's or the Elbow instead of Max Downtown or City Steam. If people can park for cheaper in West Hartford then why not go there?

City restaurant owners know this, I was talking to the manager at Hot Tomato's and he says it is difficult getting people to the restaurant sometimes because they have to worry about parking.

On another note I have read many editorials in the Courant recently about unhappy suburbanites who have come back into the city (some for the first time in a long time) from wealthy suburbs like (West Hartford, Avon & Simsbury) to go to events such as the Jazz Festival only to come back to their cars to find a ticket. This did not flow well with them and these people can sadly can live without Hartford or any other city for that matter but Hartford needs to regain it's image among it suburbs as a reputable city.

I also notice I see a lot of people ticketed for parking over the time limit in their meter as opposed to people who park illegally. There is a lot of no parking zones downtown (for some unknown reason) and there is a pretty good chance there are people parked their and that they are not ticketed.

Very true, you have a better chance avoiding a ticket trying to "create" a spot somewhere there's no meter that doesn't look like you shouldn't be parked there if that makes any sense.

[runawayjim]

Very true, you have a better chance avoiding a ticket trying to "create" a spot somewhere there's no meter that doesn't look like you shouldn't be parked there if that makes any sense.

parking in poorly signed no parking zones is always possible everywhere... there's also those places that have some weird no parking hours. providence has a few of those on the heavily populated (with cars) east side near thayer st. i can almost always find a few of these spots available when i can't find any anywhere else.

[drc72]

i think one of the solutions would be to allow more time per coin rather than easing up on ticketing the expired meters. events at night generally don't affect parking, so the lucky few who get street spaces get free parking in most cities, while the rest have to pay garages and lots. i bet you'd see less tickets if they increased the time to 15-20 min per quarter, 10 min per dime, and 5 min per nickel. you'd see even less once they join the modern world and add machines that can take credit/debit cards and paper money. the advantage to those is they're harder to see those who are at an expired meter... while the meter flashes red (when it's a digital one) or flips up a red flag, the ticket on the dash does not change color after you've used all the time... although the time is fairly large on them and easily read, it's not as bright as a flashing red meter.

I agree with this. Hartford should at least give you some more time for your money. You will see less tickets and more people downtown. If the city is worried about losing revenue, then I hate to say it, but their priorities are screwed up.

[runawayjim]

I agree with this. Hartford should at least give you some more time for your money. You will see less tickets and more people downtown. If the city is worried about losing revenue, then I hate to say it, but their priorities are screwed up.

well... losing revenue is a big deal for the city, especially if a lot of their revenue comes from tickets and meters. the tickets will drop some, but there will still be a lot and they'll lose some revenue from the meters as well. but the big thing is, they'll make people more likely to come to the city and spend more time there rather than run into places worried that their car will get a ticket.

allowing more time for your money also makes it easier on people. of course, again, the easiest thing would be the newer multi meter things that handle multiple spaces in one meter and take credit/debit cards and paper money.

[Jerry2]

Why don't you e-mail somebody at the mayor's office? If it is really that big of an issue, then I can see the need to act on it. ....In the RI forum, we've had political leaders check out the forum from city councilmen to the director of planning and development for the city. He's even come to the meetings. I've been truly amazed at the progress the city has made and the awareness that UP members have made to very influential people in PVD's re-development. I think that something could be done in Hartford's case as well. Even though there are far less members, it only takes a select few to raise awareness to citizen's and visitor's views.

[runawayjim]

Why don't you e-mail somebody at the mayor's office? If it is really that big of an issue, then I can see the need to act on it. ....In the RI forum, we've had political leaders check out the forum from city councilmen to the director of planning and development for the city. He's even come to the meetings. I've been truly amazed at the progress the city has made and the awareness that UP members have made to very influential people in PVD's re-development. I think that something could be done in Hartford's case as well. Even though there are far less members, it only takes a select few to raise awareness to citizen's and visitor's views.

that was gonna be my next suggestion... i'd petition the mayor's office, call your city council rep, and maybe even petition whoever is in charge of the meters (maybe the police department?).

[ctman987]

While on the parking subject every time there is an event downtown I see people walking around putting those little yellow plastics over the meters meaning that noone can use those spaces. They do this with lots of spaces all over downtown (not just a few). When people come into the city this is what they are greeted with. I know that sometimes spaces are saved for say the trucks that bring in the equipment for a concert at the civic center but that doesnt mean we need to take away meters all over downtown. With parking being very easy at the casinos which is now a big performance competitor for the city we need to be a bit more friendly.

[runawayjim]

While on the parking subject every time there is an event downtown I see people walking around putting those little yellow plastics over the meters meaning that noone can use those spaces. They do this with lots of spaces all over downtown (not just a few). When people come into the city this is what they are greeted with. I know that sometimes spaces are saved for say the trucks that bring in the equipment for a concert at the civic center but that doesnt mean we need to take away meters all over downtown. With parking being very easy at the casinos which is now a big performance competitor for the city we need to be a bit more friendly.

i can understand the meters directly surrounding the civic center, anywhere else is just assinine. do they (or did they ever, i seem to remember this) close off one of the streets by the civic center? i think it was the one between the CC and the big parking garage across the street from it (church st i think?).

but you're right... they should not be closing off spaces when there is an event except to allow trucks and buses to park by the civic center.

[HartfordTycoon]

Why don't you e-mail somebody at the mayor's office? If it is really that big of an issue, then I can see the need to act on it. ....In the RI forum, we've had political leaders check out the forum from city councilmen to the director of planning and development for the city. He's even come to the meetings. I've been truly amazed at the progress the city has made and the awareness that UP members have made to very influential people in PVD's re-development. I think that something could be done in Hartford's case as well. Even though there are far less members, it only takes a select few to raise awareness to citizen's and visitor's views.

I've already sent one to the Hartford Parking Authority whose director assured me they were on the way soon. This was probably almost a year ago though......

[Jerry2]

I've already sent one to the Hartford Parking Authority whose director assured me they were on the way soon. This was probably almost a year ago though......

It takes two or more....we've got Garris and Cotuit...and then once they do it.....everybody follows

[jcrc]

i still stand by what i said. i don't care if a city is trying to attract people... allowing them to illegally park causes 2 problems.

1. it takes away parking spaces from people who would otherwise legally park (and give the city proper revenue).

2. it allows people to block fire lanes.

parking meters are there for a reason, if you don't use it, it's your own problem, everyone who has been to any city knows that if you don't make sure your meter has enough time on it, you risk getting a ticket. how much does it cost for 2 hours of parking in a meter? $1? $2? come on, if you have time to go visit a city, you have time to put a few quarters into a meter. if you don't know that almost every city uses meters and parking tickets as revenue, you probably shouldn't be travelling into a city anyways. you could always park in a garage if you're afraid of getting at ticket, but a garage usually costs several dollars for 2 hours while a meter usually costs under $2 for 2 hours. i know people who get tickets every time they go to boston, does it prevent them from going? no. should they know better by now? yes.

Blocking fire lanes and expired meter are two different issues. I don't think anyone will have a problem with people being ticketed or towed by parking in a tow zone. The problem with how Hartford is ticketing people for meter violation is that, as far as I know, no other city are so fast at issuing tickets. We are all accustom to have the meter expired for 5 minutes anywhere else, and although technically speaking Hartfor has every right to do so, it is out of the norm, and when people are ticketed for their normal behavior, they will be unhappy. Like someone else mentioned, Hartford need those visitors more than those visitors need Hartford. If Harford is begging for people, then Hartford is not in the position to piss them off. It's simple as that. We are not cheap, and we are not trying to get away with murder, we just want Hartford to be behave like any other city, no more, and no less.

[jcrc]

well... losing revenue is a big deal for the city, especially if a lot of their revenue comes from tickets and meters. the tickets will drop some, but there will still be a lot and they'll lose some revenue from the meters as well. but the big thing is, they'll make people more likely to come to the city and spend more time there rather than run into places worried that their car will get a ticket.

allowing more time for your money also makes it easier on people. of course, again, the easiest thing would be the newer multi meter things that handle multiple spaces in one meter and take credit/debit cards and paper money.

The bulk of revenues come from property tax. When store fronts are emptied, buildings are knocked down to make parking lots, property value is depressed or none existence. You can never make up those kind of short fall by issuing parking tickets.

[drc72]

that was gonna be my next suggestion... i'd petition the mayor's office, call your city council rep, and maybe even petition whoever is in charge of the meters (maybe the police department?).

Not a bad idea. The city should know that people are getting irked with this parking ticket BS.

[runawayjim]

providence's new meter systems

also, providence allows you to pay online or over the phone... but they charge you an extra $3 to do so, which makes it completely not worth it. another 50 cents, maybe. maybe even an extra dollar... but $3 is ridiculous when it makes their jobs easier with less paperwork.

[ctman]

How about long response times from HPD and their treatment of citizens. I had some friends down on Saturday night. They parked outside my building on Trumbull Street, under a street light. My buddy's car was broken into along with another one 2 cars down - these sort of things happen, unfortunatley all to often in Hartford. He called the police, and after being transferred 3-4 times and waiting for 15 minnutes he finally got to someone who would put out a call. We sat there for 2 hours, saw 5 cruisers drive right by us as we tried to flag them down. It wasn't until I stood infront of a cruiser stopped at a traffic light we were able to get an officer to take the report. On the ride home it was discovered a cell phone was stolen from the car, so my friend called back to amend that into the report. After an hour and half of arguing with the dispatcher that they could take it over the phone they finally did. HPD was unresponsive and especially rude on the phone. The kick here is after the initial report was filed, we went out to grab some drinks and there were 5 cops standing around talking to some drunk club rats. Why go and actually do your job when you can chat up some drunk chicks on the city's dime.

This isn't the first time I have seen a car broken into on Trumbull St by the SNET building. The officer taking our report said they know this is a problem. Bums quickly break into cars there and run across into the park to hide. They live over in the pavilion in front of the capital. Question is, why not put a cop on horseback or on bicyle to patrol this area? I imagine its not as easy a shift as hanging out in front of agave, but it would be much more beneficial. Also, why was it impossible for 5 white guys to flag down a cop in Hartford for 2 hours?

[drc72]

How about long response times from HPD and their treatment of citizens. I had some friends down on Saturday night. They parked outside my building on Trumbull Street, under a street light. My buddy's car was broken into along with another one 2 cars down - these sort of things happen, unfortunatley all to often in Hartford. He called the police, and after being transferred 3-4 times and waiting for 15 minnutes he finally got to someone who would put out a call. We sat there for 2 hours, saw 5 cruisers drive right by us as we tried to flag them down. It wasn't until I stood infront of a cruiser stopped at a traffic light we were able to get an officer to take the report. On the ride home it was discovered a cell phone was stolen from the car, so my friend called back to amend that into the report. After an hour and half of arguing with the dispatcher that they could take it over the phone they finally did. HPD was unresponsive and especially rude on the phone. The kick here is after the initial report was filed, we went out to grab some drinks and there were 5 cops standing around talking to some drunk club rats. Why go and actually do your job when you can chat up some drunk chicks on the city's dime.

This isn't the first time I have seen a car broken into on Trumbull St by the SNET building. The officer taking our report said they know this is a problem. Bums quickly break into cars there and run across into the park to hide. They live over in the pavilion in front of the capital. Question is, why not put a cop on horseback or on bicyle to patrol this area? I imagine its not as easy a shift as hanging out in front of agave, but it would be much more beneficial. Also, why was it impossible for 5 white guys to flag down a cop in Hartford for 2 hours?

Corruption maybe????

[ctman]

i doubt it's corruption. I think it is more laziness and abuse of power above anything else. we'll see if this new cheif can do what he says and make the police more user friendly and responsive.

[SOCOM]

How about long response times from HPD and their treatment of citizens. I had some friends down on Saturday night. They parked outside my building on Trumbull Street, under a street light. My buddy's car was broken into along with another one 2 cars down - these sort of things happen, unfortunatley all to often in Hartford. He called the police, and after being transferred 3-4 times and waiting for 15 minnutes he finally got to someone who would put out a call. We sat there for 2 hours, saw 5 cruisers drive right by us as we tried to flag them down. It wasn't until I stood infront of a cruiser stopped at a traffic light we were able to get an officer to take the report. On the ride home it was discovered a cell phone was stolen from the car, so my friend called back to amend that into the report. After an hour and half of arguing with the dispatcher that they could take it over the phone they finally did. HPD was unresponsive and especially rude on the phone. The kick here is after the initial report was filed, we went out to grab some drinks and there were 5 cops standing around talking to some drunk club rats. Why go and actually do your job when you can chat up some drunk chicks on the city's dime.

That's terrible. The only solution is to put 5, 10, maybe 15 cops right downtown patrolling the streets. We can't expect to lure already skiddish suburban-minded people into the city if they're running into panhandlers and getting their cars broken into.