DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit city leaders could soon decide to cut parking ticket fees in half.
The new ordinance, proposed by City Council President Brenda Jones, was discussed Monday and moved to a formal vote set for Tuesday.
Under the new ordinance, drivers whose cars are registered with a Detroit zip code will pay $22.50 instead of $45 for a parking violation, as long as they pay their fine within five days.
“That’s a really good idea," said commuter Guadalupe Pina.
Detroit driver Wayne Milton said the current fee is too high.
“That hurts me where I live. 45 bucks is a drag."
City leaders tried to implement the new policy in 2015, but weren't able to then given the recent bankruptcy.
PARKING TICKET FEES. Working on this story for @wxyzdetroit at 5. If a new measure is approved, fines would go from $45 to $22.50 IF the ticket is paid within 5 days. pic.twitter.com/MuOGNxmQFu
— Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) June 24, 2019
Prioritizing drivers who live in Detroit was in important part of the ordinance. The city’s parking department found 70 percent of tickets issued are to non-Detroit residents; but that’s just one reason the council said this kick back will only be for Detroit drivers.
“We have to look at the unique situation that Detroiters face in the City of Detroit. We have a high poverty rate, we have high car insurance," said City Council President Pro Tempore Mary Sheffield.
Other cities like Miami have implement similar policies.
If the ordinance goes through, Detroit drivers will have to register their car in an online database in order to get the discount.
“I absolutely think that’s a logical idea, giving people the chance instead of just saying this is going to be your bill, you gotta pay it," said driver Victoria Chapman.
Again, city leaders are expected to take a formal vote on the ordinance Tuesday.
