Parking Enforcement

ABOUT THE PARKING ENFORCEMENT UNIT

Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) are uniformed civilian Police Department employees. PEO'S are responsible for patrolling the entire city limits and enforcing all parking regulations and parking violations on city property. The Unit also cites abandoned cars and supports police in identifying stolen vehicles. During special events or incidents, such as Seafair parades, Seahawks and Mariners games, accident scenes, emergencies and B.O. (bad order) traffic signals, PEO's provide traffic control so cars can continue to move.

RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Helped the City transition in April 2004, from single-space parking meters to pay stations. The new stations allow citizens to pay--without needing exact change--for specific amounts of time.

• Added an online form to the website to make reporting Abandoned Vehicles even easier.

• Spearheaded an effort in 2005 to work with the Department of Licensing, Department of Transportation, the Mayor’s Office and several advocacy groups for people with disabilities to combat illegal use of disabled parking placards.

• As part of a public outreach effort, created a brochure called "Can I Park Here?" to help the public avoid parking tickets.

HISTORY OF THE PARKING ENFORCEMENT UNIT

Parking Enforcement positions were first created in Seattle in 1957. Those Parking Meter Checkers were assigned to the City Treasurer's office. When Ordinance 101629 was passed in 1972, they transferred the Parking Meter Checkers from the Treasurer's office to the Chief of Police effective January 1, 1973. Their official title was changed to Parking Enforcement Officer (PEO).

Without Parking Enforcement Officers to enforce parking rules, driving in high density areas would be next to impossible.

RELATED:

Abandoned Vehicles Online Form

"Can I Park Here?" Parking Guide

SDOT Parking in Seattle Page