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E.P.P. 016 LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT ENFORCEMENT POLICY & PROCEDURE NUMBER: EPP – 16 SUBJECT: PARKING VIOLATIONS EFFECTIVE: JUNE 30, 2002 REVISED: JANUARY 1, 2022 ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE PARKING VIOLATIONS EPP – 16 Page 1 of 4 I. PURPOSE The purpose of this directive is to establish policy and procedure of the Police Department in regard to activities related to the enforcement of parking violations. This directive is also intended to demonstrate the procedures to be followed in the event an officer must tow a vehicle in relation to a parking violation. II. SCOPE: Responding to parking violations is part of the traffic enforcement function of all officers, just as is the detection of “regular” roadway violations of State Statues. Shopping plazas, schools, roadways and other areas will be actively patrolled, particularly the parking areas/zones marked for sole use by emergency fire equipment and handicapped persons. III. PARKING VIOLATIONS: A. In most cases, then City of Longwood parking ticket will be used for parking violations. Officers will: 1. Fill out all information areas as completely as possible. 2. Leave bottom (hard) copy behind the violator’s vehicle windshield wiper; 3. Submit the top (soft) copy to the Records Division through a supervisor; and 4. Since no provision is made, an officer should make a copy of the parking citation and print any relevant notes on the reverse side to record information about the violation for court use. ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE PARKING VIOLATIONS EPP – 16 Page 2 of 4 B. A Uniform Traffic Citation, while it can be used for violations for the state parking violations, under no circumstances can it be left on the vehicle like a parking ticket. A citation must have complete information and be signed by the driver. IV. THE DISABLED PARKING PERMIT: A. The disabled “taglet” sticker was discontinued effective March 1992, and a placard with a Permit life of four years and a temporary placard with a permit life of ninety days, is now being issued. B. The placard is displayed by the driver by hanging it from the inside, rear view mirror or placed in the dashboard of his/her vehicle. C. Laws are also established to provide certain license place designs that are to be recognized by law enforcement officers as disabled permits. D. Special Rules Governing Enforcement: 1. To be enforceable, each designated disabled persons parking space must be prominently outlined/marked with paint and posted with a sign. 2. Any person who is transporting a disabled person is allowed, without need for a placard or special license plate, momentary parking in any disabled parking space for the purpose of dropping off or picking up a disabled person. 3. Motor vehicles from outside the state are allowed use of disabled parking spaces as long as they are marked by a designated license plate or other permit. V. TOWING VEHICLES: A. If the vehicle is on private property (including private roadways): 1. With the exceptions of those conditions listed in Paragraph B below, an officer will not tow or authorize the towing of a motor vehicle or vessel from privately owned property unless the vehicle/vessel was involved in a felony (refer to forfeiture policy). 2. In responding to a parking complaint, officers will advise the property owner/manager that state statues do not authorize law enforcement officers to tow vehicles from private property. However, Chapter 715.07, Florida State Statutes, gives said towing authority to the property owner/manager, provided they meet the specific requirements of the statute. ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE PARKING VIOLATIONS EPP – 16 Page 3 of 4 3. Officers may advise the property owner/manager to obtain a copy of Chapter 715.07 and/or consult with an attorney before taking action. Officers will not give any advice or counsel to any property owner/manager in regard to an interpretation of Chapter 715.07 4. An officer may affix a parking ticket to a vehicle parked on private property that is in violation of a City of Longwood parking ordinance. 5. The status of all vehicles will be checked through F.C.I.C./N.C.I.C.. B. If the Vehicle is on Public Property: 1. An officer may tow an abandoned or unattended vehicle from public property under the following circumstances: a. When it is parked or abandoned in violation of law and the seventy-two hour time period is expired (see note below); NOTE: Unless the vehicle fits the following criteria set forth in subsection (b) or (c) below, it has been the policy of the police Department that a City Ordinance Violation be attached and a minimum time period of seventy-two hours be given before the vehicle is towed. Officers may also mark the right rear tire, using a yellow traffic crayon, with the date, time and his/her radio identification number. b. The vehicle appears to be the target of vandalism or other criminal act; or, c. The vehicle is creating a hazardous roadway situation and the owner cannot be located or, if located, cannot respond to remove the vehicle within twenty minutes. Depending upon the traffic flow and or status of other complaints requiring the officer’s presence elsewhere, the Officer is authorized to provide additional time for the owner to respond. 2. The status of all vehicles will be checked through F.C.I.C./N.C.I.C. 3. If it becomes necessary to tow a vehicle that is parked in violation of law, efforts will be made to contact the owner before said action is taken. Officers may obtain information on the owner from: ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE PARKING VIOLATIONS EPP – 16 Page 4 of 4 a. A Telecommunications Section computer records check of the tag; b. A Telecommunications Section computer records check of the V.I.N. number; or c. The complainant, a witness, a neighbor, driver of another vehicle, etc.