by Araceli Esparza
Editor in Chief
The combination of a parking permit system at the University of La Verne and a similar system in areas of its city has influenced city officials to post signs clarifying the difference between the systems.
Earlier this year, officials warned the ULV community against parking in “preferential parking” spaces along B Street, which borders the University to the west. The notification came after recent news revealed that some students have received violations for mistakenly parking within the street’s “Parking by Permit Only” boundaries.
The postings were not specific as to what permits could be used in the designated parking areas. But city officials recently added a sign clarifying that only “City of La Verne parking permits” could be used to park along areas of B Street.
“I was kind of suspicious about the sign, but I saw that others [with the ULV permit] had also parked in that space,” senior Teriy Castro said, of parking along one of the city’s restricted parking areas about three weeks ago. “So I figured it was OK if I parked there, too.”
Castro said she received a $30 ticket for parking in the designated area. But other vehicles (with the ULV permit also displayed in their window) that were parked in that area did not receive tickets, she said.
John Lentz, director of Campus Safety and Transportation, said he has heard of violators’ cases regarding this matter. However, he said the University community should be aware that “Permit Only” postings around ULV’s surface streets are applicable to residents who have been issued special permits by the city.
Students and staff are, therefore, not allowed to use their school permits in order to park within these areas.
The B Street permit system was implemented by City Council members in January after residents repeatedly complained about the University’s parking problem. Enforcement of the city’s parking system came almost immediately, and La Verne Police Department officials have been citing violators of the system since then.
“The problem is the [B Street] sign says, ‘Parking by Permit Only,’ ” Lentz said, of parking violators’ possible confusion.
“We can go to the city manager’s office and ask for a word to be added to the sign to make the signs more clear,” he added prior to the city’s posting of the new sign.
Lentz said that both he and city officials are well aware of the parking problems the community faces on a day to day basis. That is part of the reason for which they posed the clarification on signs along B Street.
“You just can’t grab one of these spots just because it’s there,” Lentz said of the restricted spaces. “If those are the only spaces, keep on looking.”
“Now I know I won’t be parking there anymore,” said Castro. “I mean, it’s only $30 for the ticket, but it’s $30 I’m burning this week.
“I would advise people to get here early to look for parking, and if you don’t find any spaces, park anywhere else you can-even if is it far away,” said Castro.
