Installation policy aims to curb illegal parking

Published Feb. 1, 2010
By Howdy Stout
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Starting next week a new installation policy takes effect that officials hope will discourage folks from parking illegally.

Illegal parking has been a hot-button issue for the Tinker workforce, consistently among the top items addressed in forums like the Commander's Action Line. Starting Jan. 31, the Security Forces will have greater authority to tow and impound illegally parked vehicles around Tinker.

Col. Allen Jamerson, 72nd Air Base Wing and installation commander, issued the revised parking policy, which states that illegally-parked vehicles can now be towed immediately at the cost of the registered owner.

The policy is the result of a coordinated effort between Tinker's senior leadership, Security Forces and the local union, said Colonel Jamerson.

"In recent months, illegal parking on the installation has resulted in safety, anti-terrorism and emergency responder hazards," Colonel Jamerson said in the updated policy.

"As a result, effective Jan. 31, 2010, I am authorizing the immediate towing of any illegally parked vehicle. All towing costs, to include storage and disposal, will be the responsibility of the owner, to be paid at the time the vehicle is released from the impounding wrecker service."

The previous policy allowed Security Forces to immediately tow vehicles under four or five specific circumstances, explains Master Sgt. Pete Way, superintendent of installation security. The revised policy allows immediate towing for additional illegal parking violations.

"It's always been policy to tow," Sergeant Way says. "All this policy does is add the option of immediate towing for the additional violations listed. It's another option for us in parking enforcement."

Violations include:
·Parking in any space or area designated a "no parking area"
·Unauthorized parking in handicap spaces
·Parking in a reserved parking space by any person whose vehicle does not bear the appropriate parking decal/placard
·Parking in restricted parking spaces except by persons whom the spaces are assigned
·Parking within eight feet on either side of doorways
·Parking at yellow or red bumper blocks or curbing
·Parking on pedestrian crosswalks
·Parking in motor vehicle traffic ways
·Parking a vehicle in two or more spaces
·Parking on any grass or seeded area, unless otherwise posted
·Backing into diagonal parking spaces where the backed vehicle faces the flow of traffic
·Parking within 25 feet of trash dumpsters
·Parking in any area not designated by white lines as a parking space
·Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
·Parking within 20 feet of a stop sign or traffic control device before an intersection
·Parking in areas or spaces that do not accommodate the vehicle
·Parking in aircraft ramp areas

Although many units have anonymous parking wardens that monitor parking areas for violations, only Security Forces are authorized to have vehicles towed and impounded.

"In 100 percent of cases, Security Forces will be called to determine if something will be towed," Sergeant Way says.

Security Forces will be training unit parking wardens on the revised policy with periodic retraining as necessary, Sergeant Way says, "so we can keep them up to speed on what is and isn't illegal parking."

Towing is done by an off-base contractor and towing and impound fees must be paid before the vehicle is released. In extreme cases, if a vehicle is not recovered by the owner, it may be sold to defray costs to the towing company.

Sergeant Way says common sense will dictate vehicle removal, the intention being to reduce the amount of repeat parking offenses at problem areas around base. In all cases, Security Forces will attempt to inform the vehicle owner in the event of towing.

"Obviously we can run the license plate so we have the ability to find the registered owner and attempt to make contact with them," he says. "But it might not always be the case that they are notified."

Sergeant Way says Airman being deployed or away on temporary assignments should contact their unit about long-term parking for unattended vehicles. Many units, such as the Third Herd, have their own dedicated parking for those deploying. But for those units without dedicated parking areas, a limited number of spaces are available through Security Forces.

"We do have a limited number of places in the long-term lot," Sergeant Way says. "That will alleviate some concerns for those going TDY or deploying."

But just as Security Forces will be using common sense in deciding what vehicles to tow, those on base should also use common sense in deciding where to park.

"The best advice is park in a legal parking spot," Sergeant Way says. "If you have to ask the question, 'Am I illegally parked?' you probably should find another place to park."