Mayor Convenes Parking Enforcement Commission

Group will Consider Creation of Civilian Parking Enforcement Division

– Allison Goldsberry

After years of grumbling by local officials and residents about a lack of enforcement, the city is moving one step closer toward creating a civilian parking enforcement division.

Mayor Michael McGlynn has convened a commission with Police Chief Leo Sacco, City Councilor Michael Marks, Assistant City Solicitor Anthony Santoro, business owner Marguerite Lynch, and resident Gwendolyn Blackburn to look at putting together a civilian division to help police with parking enforcement.

The commission, which is chaired by the Police Chief, will work closely with Boston Transportation Commissioner Thomas Tinlin in reviewing methods of ticketing, fines, and fees for parking violations.

Chief Sacco called Medford a “destination point for commuters,” and said Medford Police have not been able to consistently enforce parking regulations.

“One of the biggest problems we have in the city right now is traffic and parking,” said Chief Sacco.

Chief Sacco said a civilian parking patrol would “augment” the police with parking enforcement in the city and would provide the consistency that’s needed to keep violators in check.

City Councilor Michael Marks pushed for a separate parking enforcement division within the police department last fall, a measure that his Council colleagues supported.

Marks argued that such a group would help police with enforcement and would also generate some revenue for the city.

Chief Sacco said the commission would report back to the mayor with its recommendations within forty-five to ninety days.