March 15, 2007

Department sees results from ticketing

       Running in to grab a gallon of milk may take only a minute or two.  That last spot at the end of the curb might seem better than cruising the parking lot for a regular parking space.  But White River Township firefighters are leaving motorists a reminder, in the form of a $15 traffic ticket, when they leave their vehicle in a fire lane or in front a fire hydrant.  Firefighters have been ticketing illegally parked vehicles in the Center Grove area since April.  Firefighters wanted to tackle the problem directly rather than rely on police.  The initiative has been working, firefighters said.  Fewer motorists are parking in a way that would prevent fire trucks and ambulances from setting up on residential streets or in front of business, firefighters said.  "They've been getting the message about the fire lane," White River Township Fire Marshal Eric Brown said. "It's lightened quite a bit."

         More than 50 tickets have been written, and the department has seen positive results, he said. A vehicle parked in a fire lane had been nearly an everyday occurrence in the Center Grove area, while it now happens only once every three or four days, Brown said.  So far, there have been no repeat offenders, according to a database the department keeps.  Illegal parking can pose a hazard, firefighters warned. A vehicle parked in front of hydrant prevents firefighters from getting enough slack in their hoses to maintain effective water pressure. A vehicle parked in a fire zone can slow paramedics trying to rush a heart attack victim out of a grocery store.

         Businesses became more active about enforcing fire lanes after they were approached by the firefighters last year, Brown said.  The worst offenders had been motorists at Kroger and Stein Mart on State Road 135, Brown said.  The department took its concerns to the county commissioners, who passed an ordinance in February 2006 allowing the fire department to write tickets. The ordinance also authorized the Bargersville Fire Department to issue citations.  The Bargersville department decided not to adopt the practice after the town attorney raised legal concerns, Bargersville Fire Chief James White said.  Brown said firefighters don't patrol to spot cars in front of hydrants. They respond to complaints from business owners or issue tickets while out on a call. They have the authority to issue citations anytime, he said.  Under the ordinance, fire department heads and fire safety inspectors also can issue tickets.  Four Greenwood firefighters operating as safety inspectors also can write up violators.  The $15 tickets collected in White River Township go into a fund for fire education programs.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)
 
   

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