In parking enforcement, we often focus on whether a violation meets the legal standard. But some of the most challenging situations arise when an enforcement action is technically correct, yet still feels unfair to the person receiving it.
Before I worked in parking enforcement, I had no idea there were ordinances against things like front yard parking or even parking in front of your own driveway. That perspective has stayed with me, because it's a reminder that what seems obvious to us as professionals is not always obvious to the public.
This becomes even more complex when signage is unclear, environmental conditions create confusion, or the intent of the rule isn't easily understood. In those moments, the issue is not always the ordinance itself, but how the situation is perceived.
I also saw this from a leadership perspective. Early on, I worked with an officer who had been trained under a system that emphasized citation volume. She was extremely productive in terms of numbers, but when we took a closer look, a significant portion of those citations were either weak or difficult to defend. At the same time, other officers were writing fewer citations, but with much stronger consistency and quality.
That experience reinforced for me that enforcement isn't just about how much is done, it's about how well it is done. When quality and consistency are prioritized, outcomes improve, complaints decrease, and public confidence tends to increase.
In some operations, officers may have limited discretion and are required to issue citations when a violation exists. In others, there may be more flexibility. Regardless of the structure, the expectation from the public is often the same: fairness, consistency, and a sense that the decision was reasonable.
That's where I think we have an opportunity as a profession.
How we communicate, how we document, and how we train officers to interpret real-world situations all play a role in whether enforcement builds trust or frustration. Even when enforcement is necessary, the way it is carried out can either reinforce confidence or create a negative experience.
I'd be interested to hear from others:
How do you approach situations where enforcement is legally justified but may not feel fair to the public? Where do you see the balance between consistency, discretion, and perception?
Looking forward to the discussion.
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Kenneth Simon, PTMP, PECP
Parking Enforcement Supervisor
City of Greensboro/ Police Department
Greensboro, NC
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