DESTIN — As the summer season gets in full swing, the city’s code enforcement officers are stepping up enforcement of parking violations.
“We’ve been more active since spring break,” Code Enforcement Officer Joey Forgione said.
Destin prohibits cars from stopping or parking on the road or curbside, on a sidewalk, in an intersection or on a crosswalk. If found in violation, code enforcement officers can issue a ticket or citation, or tow a vehicle if it presents a safety hazard.
Forgione said the parking regulations mirror those already in place at the state level. He also said the city’s officers focus on education and issue by far more warnings than tickets.
“We’ve only issued five tickets since Memorial Day, and we have over 200 warnings,” he said. “They are going to be educated first.”
The primary patrols are in Crystal Beach, where a couple residents have complained.
More often than not, Forgione said residents and visitors comply with requests to move vehicles from the side of the road. But if they don’t and he has to warn them multiple times, he will issue a ticket to the tune of $35.
“They have to think of the other motorists, pedestrians and emergency vehicles and their safety,” he said. “Think about a woman walking with a stroller, you don’t want her to have to walk in the street.”
Destin Log Staff Writer Matt Algarin can be reached at 850-654-8446 or malgarin@thedestinlog.com. Follow him on Twitter @DestinLogMatt.