Commuters are parking on the side streets near the university to avoid paying for parking permits.
The streets extending past NW 27th are popular parking spaces for members of the campus community. These streets include Blackwelder, Florida and Kentucky avenues. The streets are designated with signs for drivers to park only on one side of the street.
“If they do park on the side that is ‘no parking,’ then we will write a citation,” said Bradd Brown, chief of police. “People were parking on both sides of those streets, which makes it difficult for emergency vehicles such as fire trucks to get through. It is happening less than it did last year, but it’s definitely still happening.”
There are six types of parking permits, according to okcu.edu. Permits for commuters, faculty and staff, Cokesbury Court, and Methodist Hall cost $150 and allow drivers to park in designated areas. Faculty and staff permits allow drivers to park anywhere except “visitor parking.”
The commuter permit allows drivers to park in “general parking” as well as “value parking.” The value commuter permit costs $100, but only allows drivers to park in lots designated as “value parking.”
The Star Access pass costs $200 and allows drivers to park anywhere except faculty and visitor parking.
OCU police worked with the city of Oklahoma City to get signs posted telling drivers of the new rules. The city also gave the university control over NW 27th Street. Now that street has no parking on either side.
“We did this because, if there was an emergency, then it is easier to get around the university through this back street than on 23rd Street,” Brown said.
The city also gave the university control of the streets between Blackwelder and Kentucky avenues. This means OCUPD can decide if cars can park on the streets or not. Oklahoma City police also enforces the rules put in place by university police.
“We do write citations to others who are not affiliated with the university just because they are not following the parking rules we have put in place,” Brown said.
Brown also said, if there is an event on campus, then they will still enforce the rules about parking on the street, but point visitors in the direction of gravel parking lots or where there might be available parking.
Sarah Cason, psychology junior, said there are some issues that need to be addressed.
“There really aren’t that many spaces on campus,” she said.
The parking passes and tickets are so expensive, I understand why people might be parking on side streets. But I do also see how it is a hazard for those driving. Maybe the university should find a way to fix that.
Until the issue is solved, Brown said they will continue to enforce the rules on all streets on campus.
“We are dedicated to the safety of this campus,” Brown said. “The easiest thing to do to keep from getting a ticket is just following the rules and buying a permit. We know it’s expensive but it’s better than getting a million tickets or your car towed.”
Click here to find out what the editors think about the parking issues.
Leave a Reply