City Cracks Down on Overdue Parking Fines

Three months ago, News Four Arkansas first reported the City was owed $500,000 in overdue parking fines. That story brought swift changes. "Immediately after the story, we had a number of people who had outstanding tickets come in and clear them. It always makes an impact," says Jack Wren, parking enforment coordinator for the City of Little Rock. Now the City is hoping lightening will strike again. On Sunday, it will place an ad in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, listing the names of people who owe the most money in parking fines. "Their names will be published statewide in an attempt to embarrass therm, so they`d come in and pay those parking fines," says Wren. About 4,500 drivers are responsible for the half-million dollars in parking tickets. But another report shows hundreds more owe an average $250 in fines. Still, some drivers don`t think printing those names is the answer. "If they`re not going to pay $35, what make you think they`re going to pay thousands of dollars for a parking ticket," says Dana Caputa, a Little Rock driver. Which is why the City plans to use other measures to get drivers to pay up. "We`re also going to be processing people for warrants so if they don`t respond, they`re will be warrants issued," says Wren. If you owe any parking fees, you should call the City`s Parking Enforcement Coordinator at (501) 371-4528. -- Filed by Dave Jordan