An October Forum story announced the city of Fargo’s new policy on street parking when there is a snow storm producing four or more inches of snow. Vehicles that are parked on the street in these storms face the potential of a $100 fine or towing. We all want clear streets as fast as possible after a storm, but think for a moment about who the people that rely on street parking are and are not.
They aren’t single family home owners; these people typically have garages, alleyways, or at least a driveway on which they can park.
They aren’t well-off apartment renters; higher-end buildings have garages, underground parking, and parking ramps.
They are people who live in the most inexpensive apartments, working hourly jobs, and they have no other place to park their vehicles. Perhaps their building offers a garage for an additional monthly fee, but they likely would rather spend that extra $50 per month on groceries, utility bills, or gas for their vehicles.
Are these the people to whom we want to be handing out $100 fines? Will towing their vehicles change the fact that they have no other place to park after they pay the impound fees to get their car back? Does this policy actually help solve a problem, or does it hurt those who are already hurting the most?
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Keith Lehman lives in Fargo.
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Forum's editorial board nor Forum ownership.
