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Jackson 11/29/06
By Andrew Hasbun
andrew@wlbt.net
Student parking at Jackson State University just got a little tougher and more expensive. Wednesday, Jackson police cracked down on illegal parking which will cost dozen of students towing fees and fines.
Students admit they've been parking illegally for years. They want to know why J.P.D. is taking action now.
A large stretch of Prentiss St. was covered with cars before the police arrived. Dozens of tickets were issued and cars were towed in just a couple hours, but frustrated students say they've been parking in these illegal spots for months, even years, without any enforcement.
"I've been here three years, going on four years, and I have been parking on this street and nobody did anything," said Rondra Durr, a senior.
"They need to have more parking spaces on campus period," said Tara McLaster.
Police targeted more than 100 cars parked near the intersection of Lynch St. and Prentiss St. Some even parked right in front of the signs.
Students are able to purchase a permit from the university to park on campus, but they say there isn't enough legal parking.
"There are no places to park on campus. No places to park. Then they build these little places on campus to park on, and they are full within 30 minutes," said Durr.
"We got to spend $40 for a decal and there is nowhere to park. I want my 40 dollars back," said Willie Bradley.
Precinct Two Commander Lee Vance says J.P.D. has been lenient in the past, but construction and J.S.U.'s growing enrollment are bringing in more cars and more complaints.
"If the complaints continue to come in, we have to go and do enforcement," said Vance.
Even though they've gotten away with it for years, police warn students that the tickets and the towing will continue.
"In order to save themselves the trouble or hardship, they should find alternative parking. I wouldn't take the chance," said Vance.
In a statement, J.S.U. Officials said, "The University's Department of Public Safety has no jurisdiction over city property which borders our campus. We encourage all students, faculty, staff and visitors to our university community to adhere to all traffic and parking regulations."
Jackson 11/29/06
By Andrew Hasbun
andrew@wlbt.net
Student parking at Jackson State University just got a little tougher and more expensive. Wednesday, Jackson police cracked down on illegal parking which will cost dozen of students towing fees and fines.
Students admit they've been parking illegally for years. They want to know why J.P.D. is taking action now.
A large stretch of Prentiss St. was covered with cars before the police arrived. Dozens of tickets were issued and cars were towed in just a couple hours, but frustrated students say they've been parking in these illegal spots for months, even years, without any enforcement.
"I've been here three years, going on four years, and I have been parking on this street and nobody did anything," said Rondra Durr, a senior.
"They need to have more parking spaces on campus period," said Tara McLaster.
Police targeted more than 100 cars parked near the intersection of Lynch St. and Prentiss St. Some even parked right in front of the signs.
Students are able to purchase a permit from the university to park on campus, but they say there isn't enough legal parking.
"There are no places to park on campus. No places to park. Then they build these little places on campus to park on, and they are full within 30 minutes," said Durr.
"We got to spend $40 for a decal and there is nowhere to park. I want my 40 dollars back," said Willie Bradley.
Precinct Two Commander Lee Vance says J.P.D. has been lenient in the past, but construction and J.S.U.'s growing enrollment are bringing in more cars and more complaints.
"If the complaints continue to come in, we have to go and do enforcement," said Vance.
Even though they've gotten away with it for years, police warn students that the tickets and the towing will continue.
"In order to save themselves the trouble or hardship, they should find alternative parking. I wouldn't take the chance," said Vance.
In a statement, J.S.U. Officials said, "The University's Department of Public Safety has no jurisdiction over city property which borders our campus. We encourage all students, faculty, staff and visitors to our university community to adhere to all traffic and parking regulations."