Here’s where the parking fines are increasing in Windsor

The cost of parking illegally in school zones, on fire routes and near fire hydrants is increasing in Windsor.

The city says it is cracking down for safety.

During the 2023 budget process, Windsor City Council approved the following increases:

• Park, stop or stand in a school bus zone rises from $45.00 to $ 80.00
• Park or stop in a no stopping zone rises from $50.00 to $80.00
• Park or stop in a fire route rises from $108.00 to $150.00
• Park within three meters of a fire hydrant rises from $45.00 to $80.00

A parking ticket is seen on a vehicle in Windsor, Ont., on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)“We’ve seen an increase in public safety issues in areas that should be among the safest and clearest areas we have,” said Parking Services coordinator Bill Kralovensky. “Hopefully raising the fine amount will promote better compliance, thereby protecting the public safety of our residents.”

The increases take effect Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

“Trying to make the punishment suit the penalty and hopefully change the mindset of some people.” Kravlovensky said. “Where you’re going to notice most of these are going to be in your school zones.”

He explained, “When we did the blitzes in the years past, they worked for a bit when we're there. When we're not there, obviously, everything reverts back to chaos. So, we're going to try to get back to, for a better lack of terms, a little sneaky type of endeavors to try and help and get this out there to get it fixed up. Because safety for the children is where it is mostly,”

“If people just read the signs followed the rules.”

According to city staff, there’s an app to assist people with parking solutions.

“Map My City, so it's on there, you go into there and it'd be a school zone type in which school you're looking for it has 500 meter buffers. This is where you should park, these are where the green lines are where it's safe to park, good to park and red lines where you shouldn't park.”

https://www.citywindsor.ca/visitors/Maps/Pages/MappMyCity.aspx

People in Windsor on Friday applauded the increases.

Todd Starz told CTV News he was in favour of fines increasing for parking violations.

“I think it's a good thing. If it's no parking, it means no parking, and if it takes a higher fine to get them to listen, then that's what needs to be done,” said Starz.

“Parking reinforcement is good,” said Francesca Lombardo. “I agree with it.”

Phoebe explained, “I have mixed feelings about it because some people are not well off but it might teach other people that are not well off to not make the same mistake. But, they honestly need to fix it because too many people have become used to parking in zones they should not.”