Local

PARKatlanta cracks down on illegal parking around Turner Field

ATLANTA — Officers are cracking down on fans parked illegally near Turner Field while at Braves games.
 
Channel 2 Action News went along with officers from PARKatlanta as they ticketed illegally parked cars around Turner Field.
 
It is part of a crackdown spearheaded by neighborhood groups like Organized Neighbors of Summerhill.
 
"Fans parking in driveways, on grass, sometimes on the sidewalk, anywhere they can leave their car," Suzanne Mitchell told Channel 2's Rachel Stockman.
 
Mitchell said when the parking lots are full, especially on popular game days, the illegal parking begins despite the signs for permits only on game day in the Summerhill neighborhood.
 
"Personally we have come home to find cars stacked in our driveway," Mitchell said.  "(Turner Field) is a wonderful asset but when people don't follow the rules it creates traffic congestion, it creates illegal activity and it's very, very inconvenient for the homeowners in the community."
 
For legal parking lot owners like Donald Davis, it is frustrating especially when there are so–called gypsy parking attendants taking advantage of the situation.
 
"For law-abiding citizens, then you have these people that are criminals," Davis said.
 
"Unsuspecting citizens or fans and they think that it's OK. They will charge them $40 to park in the street," said Sgt. Jeff McGirt, with PARKatlanta.
 
Not all neighbors are on board with the crackdown.
 
"The parking attendants are just coming over here to rack up money for the city. It is unfair because I live here," Don Thomasson said.
 
He says he finds it hard to remember when there are games and often forgets to put his car in the driveway and gets ticketed.
 
Community organizers are urging drivers to use MARTA to avoid the tickets altogether.