Los Angeles has budget issues. Well, another budget issue.
According to a recent report from independent news organization Crosstown LA, the city is fighting a war over parking and parking enforcement.
Crosstown analyzed data provided by City Controller Kenneth Mejia. This showed that LA spends tens of millions more on enforcement of parking than it has received from a parking ticket.
After handing out 2 million parking tickets for the fiscal year ended June 2024, the city raised a parking fine of approximately $110 million. Meanwhile, according to Mejia data, it spent $88 million on parking enforcement costs, including pay and equipment. But when pension costs and other obligations and liabilities were added to the mix, that figure jumped to more than $176 million.
A shortfall of $65 million. A $65 million shortfall if the city is experiencing a critical budget crisis that needs to be addressed.
The issue of parking enforcement is not new. The city has not made any money by issuing parking tickets since 2016. However, there does not seem to be a purpose.
The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing issues with temporary or permanent lifted parking restrictions in some locations. Revenue for the fiscal year ended June 2021 was down 37% from the previous year.
And fewer people will commute to the city centre and fill it up than they did before the pandemic. This means fewer cars are not staying in the welcoming or parking space.
Sweep sweep tickets are advantageous in LA, but not enough
And it is likely that an existing budget crisis will only exacerbate the problem, Crosstown said it cites an interview with Department of Transport spokesman Colin Sweeney.
Staff cuts and open positions are another major perpetrator for reducing parking enforcement fines. The city eliminated more than 60 positions in its 2024-25 budget, Sweeney said. Dozens of traffic officials have also retired.
And since the Covid-19 pandemic, traffic officials have taken up roles in creating different secular religions, initially supporting Covid-19 testing and vaccination sites, providing traffic control during events, and even supporting Mayor Karen Base’s pet project within Safe.
Sweeney says Ladot advocates for more officers to be hired as part of the next city budget, and the department hopes the pitch will be heard before the budget is finalized on April 21st.
Click here to read the full story that includes the methodology used by Crosstown.
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