Bend eases up on parking enforcement during ‘Stay Home, Save Lives’ order
(Update: adding Bend PD information and video)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- With many people working remotely from home due to the 'Stay Home, Save Lives' order, it's increased the number of cars parked on streets in residential neighborhoods. But the city of Bend has eased up on enforcement of some parking violations, at least for the time being.
Taunia Blakely, who lives in the Old Farm District in Bend, told NewsChannel 21 she has been working from home since March 15.
Last Friday, Blakely received a parking violation warning on her car, which was parked on the street next to her house. But after talking to the city, she's not getting a ticket.
Bend police typically issue citations under city traffic code 6.20.005 (J) when a vehicle is considered abandoned or parked in the same spot for more then three days.
Blakely said she uses her car daily and it does not sit idle on the street. She said all of the cars on her property are registered, drivable and insured.
"The city was very understanding of the overall situation," Blakely said Wednesday. "They are trying to work with themselves and the residents and realizing that people need to stay home."
"There's going to be a bunch of cars parked on the street, because a bunch of people are staying home," she said. "But with the city ordinance, you go online and file a complaint, and it goes to the compliance officer, and he drives around and checks them."
The city and police department work to enforce parking around Bend.
City Parking Services Division Manager Tobias Marx said the city has eased parking enforcement across the city and is only issuing tickets in the case of safety violations. They would include parking in front of a fire hydrant, or blocking access for emergency vehicles.
The numbers tell the story, in dramatic fashion: Last month, the city of Bend issued just 33 parking citations or warnings, far fewer than the 2,165 citations issued in April of last year. The Bend Police Department issued 33 warnings or citations, fewer than the 67 citations issued in April of last year.
Bend police Lt. Juli McConkey said the department is sympathetic toward parking issues at this time and "we are issuing warnings when appropriate."
Also, Marx said, "We have suspended the parking permit program for downtown. We put that on hold. We also established curbed pickup areas, to help businesses have more easy access to customers who want to come and support them."
