Police Launch Campaign To Tackle Ongoing Parking Issues
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WATER VALLEY – The Water Valley Police Department has launched an initiative to educate motorists in the city about parking violations. Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum reported that officers are focusing on four primary problems – parking the wrong way with the left wheels to the curb on a two-way street, and parking in front of crosswalks, hydrants and private driveways.
The chief reported that the biggest problem is motorists who park the wrong way on a two-way street. Officers have worked several accidents in the city as motorists have to cross traffic when they pull away from the curb.
Mangrum also explained that vehicles have red reflectors in the rear, and this can cause confusion for motorists who approach improperly parked vehicles at night.
Mangrum said the educational initiative will last for a month and officers are placing warning letters on vehicles that are improperly parked. After that, officers will start issuing citations.
“If you are the owner of the vehicle, you are liable for parking ticket per state law, it doesn’t matter if someone else was behind the wheel and parked it illegally,” the chief added.
The initiative was launched last week following an uptick in the complaints from the public about parking problems. Mangrum reported problematic areas include Blackmur Drive, Main Street, Panola Street and Wood Street.
“These are the areas where we have received the most complaints,” Mangrum noted. “But we are working other streets too.”
Other activity reported by the chief includes:
• The police department will close the portion of Main Street between Wood Street and Blackmur Drive around 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve for the annual crappie drop. The event starts around 11 p.m., and officers will close this section of Main Street a little earlier to allow time for set-up.
• Mangrum reported the Water Valley Christmas parade held Dec. 13 was among the best in years.
“This was really a good parade with minimal problems,” Mangrum added. “Tonya Eubanks and her committee with the Chamber of Commerce did an amazing job coordinating the line-up before the parade and we had very little traffic congestion.”
The parade also marked a first for the police department as Chief Mangrum pulled a float behind his police truck with a jailed Grinch. The department publicized the hunt for the Grinch on social media in the days leading up to the parade and Mangrum said the Grinch was captured trying to disrupt the parade just as it started.
“We got the Grinch cuffed and behind bars just in time for the parade. The officers had a great time with this and we got a lot of good feedback,” Mangrum said. “We appreciate the generous donation from a local business to help with the float.”
