The number of tickets issued for parking offences in Centre Wellington in the fist quarter of this year is more than double the amount issued to the same point in 2016.
A report from Wellington OPP detachment commander Scott Lawson indicates that of 439 parking tickets issued thus far in 2017 in the county, 361 were handed out in Centre Wellington.
From January to April in 2016, only 286 tickets were issued county-wide, 155 of those in Centre Wellington.
“I’m just wondering what’s going on about parking enforcement in Centre Wellington? Are they parking in the wrong spots? What’s going on?” asked Centre Wellington Mayor Kelly Linton at the May 25 county council meeting.
Lawson responded that higher traffic volumes and complaints are behind the increase.
“We’ve had a number of complaints in Centre Wellington in terms of parking,” explained Lawson.
“Really, it’s around the population base in Centre Wellington that’s causing that, so we’re reacting accordingly. I see it being a little more challenging again this year with Canada 150 events and some of the other events that are coming at us.”
Linton replied, “I don’t have a problem with it. If people aren’t parking right I really appreciate that you’re enforcing it. It’s just that’s a huge number.”
Councillor Lynda White, the county’s police services board representative, asked mayors of local municipalities to keep the OPP informed about Canada 150 events in their communities, so they can be prepared to respond to issues such as parking and security.
Guelph-Eramosa had the second-highest number of parking tickets issued, with 32 so far this year, followed by Minto with 23, Puslinch with 18 and Erin with four.
No parking tickets have been issued in Mapleton or Wellington North.
Racing charges on rise
White also commented on an increase in racing charges in the county.
The OPP impounded 61 vehicles for racing in the first quarter of 2017.
The total number for all of 2016 was 192, which was up substantially from the previous year, when only 110 racing charges were laid.
“We have a big problem in that area in Wellington County,” said White.
However, she noted, “Most of the people that are stopped are not Wellington County residents.
“They are trying to zip through Wellington County way too quickly, so I have to commend our traffic units for stopping these people.”
Wellington OPP issued 1,629 tickets for speeding offenses in the first quarter of 2016.
Racing charges are triggered when drivers are clocked at 50 kilometres per hour or more over the posted speed limit.
The charge results in a seven-day driver’s license suspension and seven-day impoundment of the vehicle.
