Lower Marion is considering adding a new parking security officer to patrol schools and parks – Mainline Media News

Lower Marion – Violators of parking in the Lower Marion, be careful; the township may soon increase patrols in some areas.

Lower Marion officials are considering a plan to add a new parking control officer to patrol certain areas around the township – areas where parking was violated.

A request to the township to consider the new post came from the commissioners.

During a meeting of the police committee this week, Gerald Adams, director of the parking service at Lower Marion, said many areas of the township could benefit from additional patrols. These areas include streets that are close to schools and parks.

“The seventh officer would be very helpful in school districts because it would allow us to ensure that the Lower Marion School District, the Lower Marion High School District, the Haritan High School District, the Shipley School District, and the Haverford School Area will be monitored at least measures twice a day to limit the two-hour parking restriction, ”Adams said.

Neighbors who live near Lower Marion High School have been complaining for decades about student parking in surrounding areas.

So how does the township pay for the new position?

Ernie McNealy, the head of the township, said the idea is to bring the concept to a budget workshop later this year to discuss whether to add the item to next year’s budget.

When Commissioner Ray Courtney asked if the township could speed up the addition of the new post so that it would be introduced by the fall, McNeely said it was up to the commissioners.

“You have to find a way to pay for it – so you have to find out where you get your money from,” McNeely said.

The cost of hiring a new parking employee ranges from $ 83,000 to $ 89,000. The cost of the car can range from $ 4,000 for upgrading a retired police car to purchasing a new one for $ 45,000.

Commissioner Guild Kramer said she could not support the idea without using a more sustainable vehicle.

“While a new small electric vehicle with an estimated service life of 7-10 years would be ideal, with the current shortage in the car supply chain it is best to use a converted retired police car. The budget does not provide funding for this position until 2022, ”Adams wrote in a note to the commissioner.

Local authorities added that the intensified enforcement should cover the costs of the new duty officer.

Along with parking problems near schools, other areas that require heightened controls include the area south of Marion Rail Station and people illegally parking along Mill Creek Road to use West Mill Creek Park.

Illegal parking near West Mill Creek Park is dangerous because it forces drivers to move to another lane, where a blind curve closes the view to cars traveling the other way.

Adams said enhanced law enforcement near West Mill Creek Park has been handled by police and could be transferred to a new parking lot.

Another problem with school parking near schools is the garbage and rubbish they often leave.

Adams made it clear that they have no jurisdiction to enforce garbage laws and who he believes should be involved in garbage disposal of students.

“We don’t do garbage or anything like that. That would be the police code. In many cases it will be a code for parents. We encourage our residents to ask their children to be polite and polite when they park near high school or anywhere to keep trash in the car until you get somewhere you can throw it away, ”Adams said.